Chapter 4 of 11
Chapter 4: Shadow Story
Togethe, Shapes, Silhouettes, Light Sources & Size Patterns | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Observing how shadows change size depending on the light source position.
- Recognizing shapes and animal silhouettes through hand-shadow play.
- Comparing morning, noon, and evening shadow lengths.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (17 Questions)
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Q1
Shadow Formation Science
What two things are needed to make a shadow? Can you see your shadow in a pitch-dark room?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
1. You need a source of light (like the sun, a torch, or a lamp) and an opaque object that blocks the light.
2. No, you cannot see a shadow in a completely dark room because there is no light to be blocked.
1. You need a source of light (like the sun, a torch, or a lamp) and an opaque object that blocks the light.
2. No, you cannot see a shadow in a completely dark room because there is no light to be blocked.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Light source and opaque object mentioned
1 M
No shadow in darkness explained
1 M
Q2
Time of Day and Shadow Length
When during the sunny day is your shadow:
(a) Longest?
(b) Shortest?
[2 Marks]
(a) Longest?
(b) Shortest?
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
(a) Longest: In the early morning and late afternoon/evening when the sun is low on the horizon.
(b) Shortest: At midday / noon (12:00 PM) when the sun is directly overhead.
(a) Longest: In the early morning and late afternoon/evening when the sun is low on the horizon.
(b) Shortest: At midday / noon (12:00 PM) when the sun is directly overhead.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Morning/evening longest
1 M
Noon shortest
1 M
Q3
Silhouette Matching
Look at the shadow of an animal with long upright ears and a short round tail. Which animal is it - an elephant, a rabbit, or a duck?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
It is a Rabbit (long upright ears and fluffy tail are unmistakable features).
It is a Rabbit (long upright ears and fluffy tail are unmistakable features).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identified as Rabbit
1 M
Q4
Hand Shadow Art
How can you use your two hands to make the shadow of a flying bird on a white wall?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Cross your thumbs together and link them.
• Spread your fingers wide and flutter them up and down like flapping wings.
• The shadow on the wall looks like a bird flying in the sky.
• Cross your thumbs together and link them.
• Spread your fingers wide and flutter them up and down like flapping wings.
• The shadow on the wall looks like a bird flying in the sky.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Linked thumbs described
1 M
Fluttering fingers / wing motion described
1 M
Q5
Shadow Color Property
If Neha wears a bright red dress, what color will her shadow be? Can a shadow be colorful?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Her shadow will be dark grey / black.
• No, shadows cannot be colorful because a shadow is simply an area where light is blocked; it does not carry the color of the object.
• Her shadow will be dark grey / black.
• No, shadows cannot be colorful because a shadow is simply an area where light is blocked; it does not carry the color of the object.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Shadow is dark grey/black
1 M
Reason: light is blocked, not reflected
1 M
Q6
Transparent vs Opaque
Why does a clear glass window not cast a dark shadow, while a wooden door casts a very dark shadow?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Clear glass is transparent, so light passes right through it without being blocked.
• A wooden door is opaque, completely stopping light and creating a sharp dark shadow behind it.
• Clear glass is transparent, so light passes right through it without being blocked.
• A wooden door is opaque, completely stopping light and creating a sharp dark shadow behind it.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Glass is transparent (light passes)
1 M
Wood is opaque (blocks light)
1 M
Q7
Light Source Distance and Size
What happens to the shadow of a toy car on the wall as you bring the torch closer to the car? Does it become bigger or smaller?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• When the torch is moved closer to the toy car, the car blocks a wider angle of light rays.
• Therefore, the shadow becomes much bigger (larger).
• When the torch is moved closer to the toy car, the car blocks a wider angle of light rays.
• Therefore, the shadow becomes much bigger (larger).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Becomes bigger
1 M
Reason (wider angle of blocked rays)
1 M
Q8
Direction of Shadow
In the morning, the sun rises in the East. In which direction will your shadow fall?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Shadows always fall in the direction opposite to the light source.
• Since the sun is in the East, your shadow will fall toward the West.
• Shadows always fall in the direction opposite to the light source.
• Since the sun is in the East, your shadow will fall toward the West.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Opposite to light source rule
1 M
Direction: West
1 M
Q9
Night Light Sources
Name three sources of light that can create shadows at night.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
1. Street lamps
2. A torch or flashlight
3. The Moon / candle light.
1. Street lamps
2. A torch or flashlight
3. The Moon / candle light.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid night light sources listed
2 M
Q10
Shadow Matching Shapes
Which 3D shape casts a circular shadow when illuminated from any direction? Which shape casts a triangular shadow?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• A Sphere (ball) always casts a circular shadow from every direction.
• A Cone casts a triangular shadow when light shines from its side.
• A Sphere (ball) always casts a circular shadow from every direction.
• A Cone casts a triangular shadow when light shines from its side.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Sphere for circular shadow
1 M
Cone for triangular shadow
1 M
Q11
Let Us Think • Cool Shade
Why do cows and street dogs rest under the shadow of a banyan tree during hot sunny days?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• The thick leaves of the tree block the scorching sunlight, creating a dark, cool shadow (shade).
• The ground under the shadow is much cooler than the open sunny road, giving animals relief from heat.
• The thick leaves of the tree block the scorching sunlight, creating a dark, cool shadow (shade).
• The ground under the shadow is much cooler than the open sunny road, giving animals relief from heat.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Blocking scorching sunlight
1 M
Cooler ground temperature explained
1 M
Q12
Shadow Pattern Sequence
Look at the pattern of shadows of a stick: 9 AM (Long Left), 12 PM (Short Center), 3 PM (Long Right). What pattern rule is being followed?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• The rule is following the sun's journey across the sky from East to West.
• The shadow shifts smoothly from West (morning) ➔ Underneath (noon) ➔ East (afternoon) while changing in length.
• The rule is following the sun's journey across the sky from East to West.
• The shadow shifts smoothly from West (morning) ➔ Underneath (noon) ➔ East (afternoon) while changing in length.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Sun movement rule explained
1 M
West to East shadow progression
1 M
Q13
True or False • Shadows
Write True or False:
(a) An object can cast two shadows at the same time if there are two lights in the room.
(b) Flying birds high in the sky cast big dark shadows on our feet.
[2 Marks]
(a) An object can cast two shadows at the same time if there are two lights in the room.
(b) Flying birds high in the sky cast big dark shadows on our feet.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
(a) True (Each distinct light source creates its own shadow).
(b) False (When birds fly very high, light fills in around them and no distinct shadow reaches the ground).
(a) True (Each distinct light source creates its own shadow).
(b) False (When birds fly very high, light fills in around them and no distinct shadow reaches the ground).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) True with explanation
1 M
(b) False with explanation
1 M
Q14
Experiment with Finger Shadows
Hold 2 fingers up in front of a lamp. How many finger shadows do you see? Now hold up 4 fingers. How many shadows appear?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• With 2 fingers, you see 2 finger shadows.
• With 4 fingers, you see 4 finger shadows.
• Every finger blocks light independently, creating its own outline.
• With 2 fingers, you see 2 finger shadows.
• With 4 fingers, you see 4 finger shadows.
• Every finger blocks light independently, creating its own outline.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
2 shadows then 4 shadows
1 M
Independent blocking explained
1 M
Q15
Creative Riddle
I follow you in the sunshine, but disappear in the dark. I run when you run, but make no sound at all. Who am I?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
I am your Shadow.
I am your Shadow.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct answer: Shadow
1 M
Q16
Textbook Activity • Morning vs Noon Shadows
When is your shadow longest during the day, and when is it shortest?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Our shadow is longest in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon.
• Our shadow is shortest at noon (12 o'clock) when the sun is directly overhead.
• Our shadow is longest in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon.
• Our shadow is shortest at noon (12 o'clock) when the sun is directly overhead.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Longest in morning/afternoon
1 M
Shortest at noon
1 M
Q17
Textbook Activity • Hand Shadow Animals
Using a flashlight against a white wall, can you make your hand shadow look like a barking dog or a flying bird?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• Yes! By bending the thumb and fingers into special shapes between the light and the wall, the hand casts a silhouette that looks like a barking dog or flapping bird.
• Yes! By bending the thumb and fingers into special shapes between the light and the wall, the hand casts a silhouette that looks like a barking dog or flapping bird.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Silhouette formed by blocking light
1 M
Correct hand posture example
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Playground Shadow Tracking
At 8:00 AM, Rohan's shadow measures 14 handspans on the school ground. At 12:00 noon, his shadow measures only 3 handspans.
Analytical Task: Why did Rohan's shadow become so short at noon? What will happen to his shadow at 5:00 PM in the evening?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. At noon, the sun is directly overhead, casting light from above so the shadow is at its shortest.
2. At 5:00 PM, the sun sinks low in the western sky, so his shadow will become long again, pointing toward the east.
2. At 5:00 PM, the sun sinks low in the western sky, so his shadow will become long again, pointing toward the east.
Rubric: 1.5 M for noon explanation + 1.5 M for evening prediction