1. What is Sun Shadow Length?

The Sun Shadow Length is the length of the shadow cast by an object when illuminated by sunlight at a specific angle. It depends on the object's height and the sun's angle above the horizon.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the trigonometric formula:

Where:

• \( Length \) — Shadow length (meters)
• \( Height \) — Object height (meters)
• \( Sun\ Angle \) — Sun's angle above horizon (degrees)

Explanation: The tangent function relates the angle of the sun to the ratio between the object's height and its shadow length.

3. Importance of Shadow Length Calculation

Details: Calculating shadow length is important for architecture, photography, solar panel placement, and understanding seasonal sunlight patterns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the object's height in meters and the sun's angle in degrees (must be between 0 and 90). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What time of day produces the longest shadows?
A: Shadows are longest when the sun is lowest in the sky - at sunrise and sunset when the angle is smallest.

Q2: How does shadow length change with seasons?
A: Shadows are longer in winter when the sun is lower in the sky, and shorter in summer when the sun is higher.

Q3: What is the shortest possible shadow?
A: The shortest shadow occurs when the sun is directly overhead (90° angle), making the shadow length approach zero.

Q4: Does this calculation work for artificial light sources?
A: Yes, the same principle applies to any directional light source, though artificial lights are often not parallel like sunlight.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation in real-world conditions?
A: It's mathematically precise for a point light source like the sun, but terrain and atmospheric refraction can cause slight variations.