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Shadows

This experiment aims to determine the height of a tall object by measuring its shadow and comparing it to a reference object's shadow using the principles of similar triangles. Participants will record measurements, calculate the unknown height using a specific formula, and discuss factors affecting accuracy. The experiment has real-life applications in architecture, geography, and education.

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tdit84
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23 views4 pages

Shadows

This experiment aims to determine the height of a tall object by measuring its shadow and comparing it to a reference object's shadow using the principles of similar triangles. Participants will record measurements, calculate the unknown height using a specific formula, and discuss factors affecting accuracy. The experiment has real-life applications in architecture, geography, and education.

Uploaded by

tdit84
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Shadow Length and Height Determination

Experiment Worksheet

Objective

Determine the height of a tall object (such as a tree or building) by measuring its shadow and
comparing it to the shadow of a reference object with a known height. This experiment uses
the principles of similar triangles to estimate the unknown height.

Materials Needed

A 100-meter tape measure for accurate distance measurements


A reference object of known height (e.g., a meter stick or pole)
A sunny day with clearly defined shadows
Notebook and pen for recording measurements and calculations
(Optional) A calculator for computations

Key Concepts

Similar Triangles:
The tall object and its shadow form a triangle that is similar to the triangle formed by the
reference object and its shadow.
Proportionality:
The ratio of the height of an object to the length of its shadow is the same for both
objects.
H
S
= R
r
where:
H is the height of the tall object (unknown)
S is the shadow length of the tall object
R is the height of the reference object (known)
r is the shadow length of the reference object
Height Calculation:
Rearranging the proportion gives the formula to calculate the unknown height:
R×S
H= r

Procedure
1. Setup:

Choose a sunny day when shadows are clearly defined.


Position the reference object near the tall object so that both cast shadows on a flat
surface.
Ensure that both shadows are measured at the same time for consistency.

2. Measurement:

Use the tape measure to record the length of the tall object's shadow as S .
Measure the length of the reference object's shadow and record it as r.
Verify that the known height of the reference object is recorded as R.

3. Calculation:

Use the formula to compute the height of the tall object:


H= R×S
r
Substitute your measured values into the formula and calculate H .
Record your calculated height along with all measurements.

4. Repeat:

If possible, take multiple measurements to ensure accuracy.


Document any variations or potential errors (e.g., uneven ground, shadow
distortions).

Data Table

Measurement Value Units Notes

Height of Reference R meters Known height of the reference object

Shadow of Reference r meters Length of reference object's shadow

Shadow of Object S meters Length of the tall object's shadow

Calculated Height H meters Computed using H = R×S


r

Fill in your measured values and the calculated height.

E
V
A
Below is a table for you to record your measurements and calculated values for multiple trials.

Height of Shadow of
Trial Shadow of Calculated
Reference R Reference r Notes
Number Object S (m) Height H (m)
(m) (m)

Fill in your measured values for each trial and calculate the unknown height H using the
formula.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the accuracy of your height calculation depend on the precision of your
shadow measurements?
2. What environmental factors (such as the time of day or ground slope) might affect the
shadow lengths and impact your results?
3. How could errors in measuring the reference object’s shadow length influence the final
computed height?
4. What methods could be used to minimize measurement errors in this experiment?
5. How can the principles demonstrated in this experiment be applied in real-world
surveying or mapping projects?

Real-Life Applications

Architecture and Construction:


Estimating the height of buildings when direct measurement is impractical.
Geography and Surveying:
Determining the heights of natural features like trees or hills.
Historical Methods:
Similar techniques were used in ancient times to estimate the heights of monuments and
celestial bodies.
Education:
Demonstrating the practical application of similar triangles and proportional reasoning.
Enjoy your exploration into shadow-based height determination and discover the practical
applications of geometric principles!

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