Question

You can make your own sundial and use it to mark the time of the day at your place. First of all, find the latitude of your city with the help of an atlas. Cut out a triangular piece of cardboard such that its one angle is equal to the latitude of your place and the angle opposite to it is a right angle. Fix this piece, called gnomon, vertically along a diameter of a circular board a shown in Figure One way to fix the gnomon could be to make a groove along a diameter on the circular board.

Next, select an open space, which receives sunlight for most of the day. Mark a line on the ground along the North-South direction. Place the sundial in the sun as shown in Figure Mark the position of the tip of the shadow of the gnomon on the circular board as early in the day as possible, say 8:00 AM. Mark the position of the tip of the shadow every hour throughout the day. Draw lines to connect each point marked by you with the centre of the base of the gnomon as shown in Figure  Extend the lines on the circular board up to its periphery. You can use this sundial to read the time of the day at your place. Remember that the gnomon should always be placed in the North-South direction as shown in Figure. 

Answer 1

You can make your own sundial and use it to mark the time of the day at your place. Follow these steps:

1. Find the Latitude:

   • Use an atlas or an online tool to determine the latitude of your city.

2. Create the Gnomon:

   • Cut out a triangular piece of cardboard. Ensure that one angle of the triangle is equal to the latitude of your place and the angle opposite to it is a right angle (90 degrees).

3. Prepare the Circular Board:

   • Obtain a circular board. Make a groove along its diameter to fix the gnomon securely.

4. Fix the Gnomon:

   • Insert the triangular piece (gnomon) vertically into the groove along the diameter of the circular board, as shown in the figure.

5. Create the Circular Board:

   • Take a circular board. This will be the base of your sundial.

6. Mark the Time:

   • As the sun moves across the sky, the gnomon's shadow falls on the circular board. Mark the position of the shadow at different times of the day. Over time, you will have a complete sundial that can tell you the time based on the position of the shadow.

Following these instructions will create a sundial. This sundial can be used to mark the time of day based on the position of the shadow cast by the gnomon.