Do the two sticks still cast shadows of the same length? Step 5 – Bend the paper plate slightly, as though modeling the curvature of the Earth between two cities, then again observe the shadows cast by the popsicle sticks. Use the observations you have made so far to discuss evidence and reasoning in support of the following:Ĭlaim: “If Earth were flat, then at any particular time, the shadows cast by identical sticks in different cities would all have the same length.” Step 4 – You can think of the flat plate as representing what Earth would look like if it were flat, and the two popsicle sticks as the locations of two cities on a flat Earth the light source represents the Sun. Can you find an orientation in which neither popsicle stick casts a shadow? Explore how the shadows of the two popsicle sticks compare when you tilt the plate to different angles relative to the light source. Step 3 – Have one team member hold the plate vertically in front of the lightbulb or flashlight, while the other team members observe whether there are any shadows cast by the popsicle sticks. You can use tape to secure your popsicle sticks to the plate so that they stay pointed straight out. Step 2 – Make a small hole on each mark and push a popsicle stick into each hole, so that the popsicle sticks are pointing straight out of the plate (that is, perpendicular to the plate). Step 1 – Mark two places directly across from each other on the paper plate, near to the edge, but not too close.
Group Activity How Shadow Comparisons Prove Earth is Roundīreak up into teams of two or three to demonstrate how the length of shadows depends on the curvature of the Earth.
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