Parabola
Jan 15, 2016
Parabola
Parabola
A plane conic section curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to a side of the cone.
Mathematically a parabola is a 2nd degree or quadratic function of the form
ʺf(x) = ax² + bx + c
Conic Sections and Shapes
Parabola
Circle
Ellipse
Hyperbola
Parallel to the side
Construction of a Parabola as a Section of a Cone
Parabolic Curve Applications
In Technology
• Parabolic Antennas & Satellites
• Solar • Parabolic Reflection
In Physics
• Parabolic Trajectory• Zero Gravity
Everyday• Nature’s Parabolas• Architecture• Home• Tools
Trajectory for Launched Object
Source: NASA-JSC
Trajectory: NASA Zero G Aircraft
Source: NASA-MSFC
Parabolic Flight
30 thousand feet
28
26 Plane at 45° Zero-G Plane at 45°
24
22
20
0 20 40
Duration (seconds)
1.8-G1.8-G
Parabolic Concentration
Concentration Examples
RCA Satellite Antenna
Source: NASA-GRC
Applications Technology Satellite
Concentration ExamplesTrough Solar Dish
Source: Sandia National Laboratories
Parabolic Dispersion
Dispersion Examples
Source: www.Pics4Learning.com
Parabolic reflector
Reflected light
forms a parallel beam
directed straight ahead
Focus
Parabolic Curves in Sports
Source: www.Pics4Learning.com
Parabolic Curves in Home
Parabola