On which of the following datesyour shadow at noon is thesmallest? [UPPCS (Pre) 2006](A) 25 December (B) 21 March(C) 21 June (D) 14 February

To determine on which date your shadow at noon is the smallest, we need to understand the relationship between the length of shadows and the position of the sun in the sky. Shadows are shortest when the sun is at its highest point, which occurs around noon.

Key Factors:

1. Sun's Altitude: The sun's altitude varies with the seasons. It is highest at the summer solstice and lowest at the winter solstice.
2. Equinoxes: During the equinoxes, the sun is directly above the equator and shadows are of moderate length.

Analysis of Options:

1. 25 December: This is close to the winter solstice (around December 21), where the sun is at its lowest point in the sky resulting in longer shadows.
2. 21 March: This is around the vernal equinox, where day and night are of equal length. Shadows are moderate, not the shortest.
3. 21 June: This date marks the summer solstice, where the sun is at its highest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest shadows.
4. 14 February: This date is before the vernal equinox, where shadows tend to be longer than in June.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, 21 June (C) is the date when your shadow at noon is the smallest due to the sun being at its highest altitude in the sky.