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Answer: A

Key insight
Parallel light rays (as from the sun) hitting a sphere cast an elliptical shadow when the rays are angled. The shadow of the sphere itself is circular in cross-section, but its projection onto the flat ground at an angle is an ellipse. The sphere also sits on the surface, so the shadow begins at the sphere's contact point.

Step by step
Step 1: The light rays come from the upper-left at an angle (not directly overhead).
Step 2: Parallel rays tangent to a sphere create a cylindrical shadow column; where this cylinder meets the flat surface at an angle, the cross-section is an ellipse.
Step 3: The sphere rests on the surface, so the shadow is attached to the sphere's base and extends to one side.
Step 4: The shadow ellipse overlaps partially with the sphere's silhouette circle (the sphere blocks part of the ground around its contact point).
Step 5: Option A shows an elliptical shadow offset to one side with the sphere silhouette partially overlapping — correct geometry. ✓
Therefore the answer is A.

Why wrong options are wrong
Option B: Shows the shadow o

A solid sphere is kept on a planar surface. Parallel rays of light are falling on it as shown in the image. Which option correctly represents the shadow cast by the sphere on the planar surface?