PARABOLA
Above you see the most popular example for Parabolic Curve-the Dish Antenna
What is a Parabola: A simple way to define would be, Parabolas are U-shaped Curves that satisfy specific conditions.
Remember: Not All U-shaped Curve is a Parabola
Question: Why is the Dish Antenna designed in the shape of a Parabola
This is to facilitate no matter where the incoming Signals hit the Dish Antenna, they get Directed | Reflected to the Receiver
Note: This point is the Fixed point and is called the FOCUS
For this Torch, the outer surface is Parabolic in shape and a Bulb is placed at the FOCUS point so that the light coming out has the maximum reach.
How do we define a Parabola
Consider a fixed Line and a fixed point, say F. Now find all of the points whose distance from the line and the fixed point are equal (equidistant). Now if we were to connect all of these points they would all lie on a Curve and we call that curve to be a Parabola
The Fixed point is called the Focus and the Fixed line is called the Directrix. The shape of the Parabola will depend on the position of the Focus and the Directrix
Properties of Horizontal Parabola
When "a" is negative
Type II
Examples
Worksheet
