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Two shadows, one toy

Can one small toy make two different-sized shadows? Keep the toy still and move the light.

Grade 1Science10 minutesAdult help needed
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Your discovery goal

Notice how changing a flashlight's position changes a shadow while the object stays the same.

A little help from a grown-up

Before you begin

A grown-up sets the toy on a table between the flashlight and wall. Keep the wall and toy still, and check that the shadow stays on the wall when the light moves straight back.

Let’s give it a try.

Tick each step as you go. There’s no rush to wonder.

Pause and wonder

What did you discover?

In this setup, the shadow becomes smaller as the light moves farther from the toy. The toy does not shrink. Report what you see and ask your helper to adjust an unclear shadow.