On a sunny day, does a bird or an aeroplane flying high in the sky cast its shadow on the ground? Under what circumstances can we see their shadow on the ground?
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Solution
Step 1: Formation of the shadow of objects due to the sun
According to the question, a bird or an aeroplane is flying in the high sky.
We know that, for shadow formation, a screen is necessary. But in this case, the bird or the aeroplane is flying in the high sky (high altitude), and the ground is far away from them, in absence of the screen the shadow cannot be formed.
But when the objects (bird or aeroplane) are at a lower altitude, then the ground will act as a screen. And the shadow of the objects will be produced.
Step 2: Diagram
Therefore, at a lower height, we can see the shadow of the bird or aeroplane.
