Light in Windows Across the Day
Have you ever noticed how light changes throughout the day? It depends on which direction the window is facing and what time of day it is. Watch these animations closely to learn more about how the position of windows matters for how light enters a room during the day.
Instructions for Each
Pay attention to the time of day, which is shown in the upper left of each image.
The left side shows a classroom floor plan (square with rectangles for tables). Watch the sun (orange orb) as it moves from east to west over the course of the day. Notice how the shadow of the building moves.
The right side is the inside of the classroom. Watch how the white sunlight coming into the classroom changes throughout the day.
North Facing Window
Notice that no direct sunlight comes through north facing windows. Instead, you can actually see the building's shadow outside the window later in the day.
South Facing Window
Bright sunlight can be seen moving across the desks over the course of the entire school day.
East Facing Window
Notice how sunlight hits the desks in the morning, but in the afternoon the classroom is no longer receiving direct sunlight.
West Facing Window
In the morning, the classroom doesn't receive direct sunlight. At 1:00, you can begin to see sunlight move across the desks.
