Concept explainers
The reason for the dark corner surrounded by a region of increasing brightness in a moon’s shadow .
Answer to Problem 1CQ
The moon’s shadow has a dark center surrounded by a region of increasing brightness because the sun acts as an extended source and not a point source.
Explanation of Solution
During a solar eclipse the sun acts as a small but extended source and it casts a shadow of the moon on the Earth.
The moon’s shadow has a dark center surrounded by a region of increasing brightness because the sun acts as an extended source.
When all the light rays emitted by the Sun is blocked then the place is the darkest and that is the darkest part in the shadow of the moon and lighter parts represents where only part of the light rays are covered by the moon so the other part of light reaches the Earth.
This happens because sun is the extended source; if Sun had been the point source then shadow would have been sharp.
Conclusion:
Thus, the moon’s shadow has a dark center surrounded by a region of increasing brightness because the sun acts as an extended source and not a point source.
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