Question

Give reasons for the following: Birds, while flying high, do not cast its shadow on earth.

Answer 1

Hint: The above problem can be resolved using the concept of the formation of shadow and its effect on the intensity with the distance of the object creating the shadow, Moreover, the inverse relation of the intensity of shadow with changing distance of the object form the obstacle is to be analysed.


Complete step-by-step answer
When the birds fly in the sky, they get in contact with the light rays coming from the sun. These light rays cause obstruction in the path of the bird and this results in the formation of the shadow on the ground. Now, the intensity of the shadow depends on the distance of the birds from the ground. More the distance from the ground, the intensity of shadow gets diminished. And the lesser the distance the shadow will remain darkened. Since the high-flying birds are at much greater distance from the ground, therefore they could not create higher intensified shadow and hence their shadow cannot casted on earth.


Note: In order to resolve the given problem, one must be clear regarding the concept of the interference of light rays along with the idea of the formation of dark images known as shadow. Moreover, the effects and the parameters affecting the formation of shadow of an object is also known.