Why Do You Get More than One Shadow Under Several Lamps?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do you get more than one shadow under several lamps?

The Big Idea

Every lamp is a separate source of light. Each one throws its own shadow behind your body. So several lamps make several shadows!

Each Lamp Counts

Step one: every lamp makes its own shadow. Light from each lamp travels straight and gets blocked by your body in a different place. Even two lamps in one room make double shadows.

Overlap

Step two: shadows can overlap. Where two shadows overlap, both lights are blocked, so it is extra dark. Each shadow points away from its own lamp.

Lighter Shadows

Step three: some shadows are lighter. Where only one light is blocked, the other lamp still shines in, so the shadow is lighter. This is a cool way to see that the lights are really in different places.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Lamp one throws a shadow on the wall. Lamp two throws another shadow. Now you can count two shadows. Where they overlap, it is darkest of all. So count your shadows, and you can count the lamps!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Each light source makes its own shadow. Soccer fields with four floodlights make four faint shadows for each player. Where shadows overlap, they are darkest. Ask a grown-up to help with lamps, and never look straight at a bright bulb.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, switch on two lamps in a darkened room, or use two flashlights. Hold your hand in front of a wall. Count how many shadows you can make. Which parts are darkest?

Outro

Each light makes its own shadow, so more lights mean more shadows. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!