What is the length of a shadow at 8am?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter korko
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Angles
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the length of a shadow cast by a 150m building at 8 A.M. on a sunny day. The sun rises at 6 A.M. and sets at 6 P.M., covering a total of 180 degrees over 12 hours. At 8 A.M., which is 2 hours after sunrise, the angle of the sun can be determined as 30 degrees. This angle is crucial for calculating the shadow length using trigonometric principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometry, specifically sine and cosine functions.
  • Knowledge of angles and their relationship to shadow lengths.
  • Familiarity with the concept of the sun's apparent motion across the sky.
  • Ability to visualize and interpret word problems involving geometry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the use of trigonometric ratios to calculate shadow lengths.
  • Learn about the sun's angle of elevation at different times of the day.
  • Explore the concept of solar position and its impact on shadows.
  • Study real-world applications of trigonometry in architecture and design.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying trigonometry, educators teaching geometry, and anyone interested in understanding the relationship between sunlight and shadow lengths.

korko
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi there!

I need help with trig. I know how to find angles or sides etc. but the problem is I can't picture what this word problem trying to ask me. It would be great if you show me the picture, and I would most likely know how to figure out the sides.

Q1:
On a sunny day, the shadows of stationary objects move slowly across the ground. This is caused by the apparent motion of the sun across the sky, due to the rotation of the Earth. Assume that the sun rises due east at 6a.m, and sets due west at 6p.m.

Find the length of the shadow of a 150m building at:
a) 8A.M

Thanks,
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Look at it in terms of angles and fractions. The sun has 180 degrees to cover over a period of 12 hours. 8am is 2 hours after sunrise. The angle of the sun is related to the angel of the shadow.

Does that help you any?
 
Last edited:
kts123 said:
Look at it in terms of angles and fractions. The sun has 180 degrees to cover over a period of 12 hours. 8am is 2 hours after sunrise. The angle of the sun is related to the angel of the shadow.

Does that help you any?

yes it does, thank you! :D
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
11K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K