Book 13, Question 25 · Video
Why Do Tall Buildings Leave Long, Cool Shadows on City Streets?
Tall buildings block the Sun, so their shadows fall across the street and make it cooler there. In winter, when the Sun is low, the shadows are especially long. Some streets stay i
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do tall buildings leave long, cool shadows on city streets?
The Big Idea
Tall buildings block the Sun, so their shadows fall across the street and make it cooler there. In winter, when the Sun is low, the shadows are especially long. Some streets stay in shade most of the day!
Tall Blockers
Step one: tall buildings block sunlight. Taller things block more sunlight and cast bigger shadows. In a hot city, the shaded side of the street feels pleasantly cool.
Low Sun
Step two: a low Sun makes long shadows. In winter, and in the early morning and evening, the Sun is low in the sky, so shadows stretch far across the street. In winter, low sunlight makes shadows creep farther across the street.
Cooler Streets
Step three: shaded streets stay cooler. Without direct sunbeams, the ground warms much less than in the sunny spots nearby. In summer, the Sun is higher, so city shadows are shorter.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! A tall building rises into the sky. The Sun is low, so it shines at a slant. A long shadow stretches across the street. And the shaded street feels cooler. Shade on streets can make walking much more comfortable.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Tall buildings cast long shadows. Low Sun in winter makes the shadows longer. Some cities check how shadows will fall before building new towers. Stay on the sidewalk and cross streets with a grown-up.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! On a sunny day, find the shadow of a tall building or a tall tree. Place a stone at the tip of the shadow. Check again an hour later, with a grown-up nearby. Did the shadow grow, shrink, or move?
Outro
Tall buildings block the Sun, so their long shadows keep the streets cool. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!