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

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