What is a shadow?
Shadows form when an object blocks the light.
Some objects are opaque such as stone, metal and wood.
This means light doesn't travel through them and it bounces back off the object.
On the other side of the object, a shadow is formed.
Watch: The Shadow
Learn about shadows with The Shadow
NARRATOR: Coming soon to a wall near you,
THE SHADOW: ''I am The Shadow. Whenever something blocks the light I’ll be there.
You can see me but you can't catch me. The Shadow comes in many sizes. When I move closer to the light I grow larger, mwhahaha.
When I move further away from the light I become smaller. Harder to spot. And if there are two light sources, there’ll be two The Shadows, double trouble. Look I can even make cool animals with my hands, It’s a crocodile.''
THE SHADOW (as crocodile): ''Roar, Wow The Shadow's so cool, I wish he was my boyfriend.''
THE SHADOW: ''Oh sorry croc The Shadow isn’t looking to date right now, for he is married to justice. Nothing can defeat the shadow, except-''
MUM: ‘’Why haven’t you go the big light on?’’
THE SHADOW: ''Mum!''
MUM: ''Do you want anything washing I’m putting a load on?''
THE SHADOW: ''Mum I’m doing my The Shadow monologue!''
MUM: ''Ooh sorry love.''
THE SHADOW: ''Nothing can defeat The Shadow except, hang on. Nothing can defeat The Shadow except if there is light and nothing to block it. For then there can be no shadow.
Mum please!
MUM: ''Sorry I just really think I should wash those pants.''
THE SHADOW: ''Fine.''
MUM: ''Erm are you wearing?''
THE SHADOW: ''The Shadow wears two pairs of pants.''
MUM: ''And underneath the trousers?''
THE SHADOW: ''Fine three.''
MUM: ''Good.''
THE SHADOW: ''Can you switch the light off please mum?''
MUM: ''Can you tidy your room? You can't just hide everything in the shadows.''
THE SHADOW: ''That’s what she thinks, for I am The Shadow and I wear 3 pairs of pants. Although currently just two.''
NARRATOR: The Shadow.
Do shadows change shape?
Shadows will always be the same shape as the object the light hits.
You can change the size of the shadow by moving the light source closer or further away.
By moving the light source closer to the object, the shadow becomes bigger.
The further away from the object you move the light source, the smaller the shadow becomes.
If there are two light sources, there will be two shadows.
Horrible Science fact
The reasons that the Moon appears as different shapes in our sky is because of the shadow cast on it by the light from the Sun hitting the earth.
You can learn more about the Moon here.
Quiz: The Shadow - Truth or False
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