Direction Sense • Topic 3 of 4

Shadows & Time

In the morning the sun is in the East, so shadows fall to the West; in the evening the sun is in the West, so shadows fall East. The shadow always points opposite the sun.

The shadow points away from the sun

Sun (East, morning) pole shadow → West
Sun in the East (morning) ⇒ shadow stretches West. At sunset it reverses.
Use it to find facing. If your morning shadow falls to your left, then West is on your left, so you are facing North. At noon the sun is overhead and shadows are shortest.

✅ Solved examples

1. At sunrise, a pole's shadow falls towards?
Sun in East → shadow to the West.
2. At sunset, a tree's shadow falls towards?
Sun in West → shadow to the East.
3. A man faces his shadow in the morning. Which way does he face?
Morning shadow is West → he faces West.
4. In the morning, your shadow is to your left. Which way do you face?
Shadow West is on your left → you face North.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Sunrise shadow direction?
Opposite the sun.
—
—
West
2. Evening shadow direction?
Sun in West.
—
—
East
3. Morning, shadow on your right — you face?
Shadow West on right.
—
—
South
4. A man faces his evening shadow — he faces?
Evening shadow East.
—
—
East
5. At noon, shadow length is?
Sun overhead.
—
—
Minimum

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

Auto-graded with full solutions; saved to your dashboard. Use the calculator and formula sheet (top-right) any time.

Loading questions…
← Net Displacement (Pythagoras) Coded Directions →