Exploring the Movement of the Sun and Shadows

Objectives

1. Understand the Earth's rotation and how it affects the position of the Sun in the sky.

2. Observe and record the changes in shadows throughout the day.

3. Correlate the position of the Sun with the length and direction of the shadows.

4. Develop observation and scientific recording skills.

5. Encourage teamwork and collaboration.

Contextualization

The position of the Sun in the sky and the shadows it casts are phenomena that we all observe daily. From dawn to sunset, shadows change in size and direction. Understanding how this happens helps us grasp important concepts about the Earth and the Sun. For example, ancient Egyptians used shadows to measure time and create calendars, techniques that have evolved and are still used in our modern society. Understanding these phenomena is fundamental for various professions, such as civil engineering, where knowledge of natural lighting is essential for building design, and agriculture, where planning for planting and harvesting depends on the amount of sunlight that crops receive.

Relevance of the Theme

Understanding the position of the Sun and the shadows it casts is important not only for academic knowledge but also for various practical applications in our daily lives and different professions. This knowledge is essential for planning and executing activities in areas such as civil engineering, agriculture, and even cinema, where natural lighting plays a crucial role. Additionally, developing observation and scientific recording skills early prepares students to face future challenges and solve problems effectively.

Earth's Rotation Movement

The Earth's rotation movement is the spin that our planet makes around its own axis. This movement is responsible for the alternation between day and night, taking approximately 24 hours to complete.

• The rotation movement lasts about 24 hours.

• It is responsible for the alternation between day and night.

• It affects the position of the Sun in the sky throughout the day.

Sun's Position in the Sky

The position of the Sun in the sky changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation. In the morning, the Sun rises in the east, at noon it is at its highest point in the sky, and in the afternoon it sets in the west.

• The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

• At noon, the Sun is at the highest point in the sky.

• This change in position is noticeable due to the alteration of shadows.

Shadows and Their Length

Shadows change in length and direction throughout the day as the position of the Sun in the sky changes. In the morning and afternoon, shadows are longer, while at noon, when the Sun is at its highest point, shadows are shorter.

• Shadows are longer in the morning and afternoon.

• At noon, shadows are shorter.

• The direction of the shadows changes as the position of the Sun changes.

Practical Applications

• Civil Engineering: Knowledge about the position of the Sun and shadows is used to design buildings that maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial light and saving energy.
• Agriculture: Farmers plan their planting and harvesting based on the amount of sunlight their crops will receive, optimizing crop productivity.
• Cinema: Cinematographers and filmmakers consider the position of the Sun to ensure perfect lighting in outdoor shoots, creating scenes with better visual quality.

Key Terms

• Rotation Movement: The spin of the Earth around its own axis, responsible for the alternation between day and night.

• Position of the Sun: The Sun's location in the sky, which changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation.

• Shadow: The dark area cast by an object that blocks sunlight, varying in length and direction throughout the day.

Questions

• How does the Earth's rotation movement influence our daily activities?

• In what ways do different professions use knowledge about the position of the Sun and shadows?

• Why is it important to develop observation and scientific recording skills from an early age?

Conclusion

To Reflect

Understanding the Earth's rotation movement and how it influences the position of the Sun in the sky and the shadows we observe daily helps us better understand our world. Shadows change in size and direction throughout the day, revealing the Sun's journey across the sky. This knowledge is not only fascinating but also extremely practical and applicable in various professions, such as civil engineering, agriculture, and cinema. Developing observation and scientific recording skills early prepares us to face future challenges and solve problems effectively. By reflecting on what we've learned, we can see the importance of closely observing natural phenomena and how this can impact our lives and careers.

Mini Challenge - Creating Your Own Sundial

Let's build a simple sundial to observe and record the position of shadows throughout the day.

• Gather the necessary materials: cardboard, straws, adhesive tape, ruler, and pencil.
• Secure a straw vertically in the center of a piece of cardboard using adhesive tape.
• Mark the position of the straw's shadow on the cardboard every hour, using the ruler to draw a line from the base of the straw to the tip of the shadow.
• Observe the changes in shadow positions throughout the day.
• Discuss your observations with your classmates and write a short report on what you discovered.