Parabolic Reflectors

A Parabolic Reflector is parabola revolved around upon its axis where the line segment joins the axis and focus. A number of real-life devices use this property. A few examples of them would be the shapes of car headlights, mirrors in reflecting telescopes, televisions, and radio antennas. Car headlights for example, light rays are reflected from the focus in parallel rays. All of the light is aimed at one spot thus giving you a bright …

…a fixed point. Paraboloid: A shape that is made up of vertical cross sections that are parabolas and horizontal cross sections that are circles. Directrix: A fixed line from which all points of the parabola are equidistant. Equidistant: Situated at the same distance from two or more places or points. Focal Point: The place where waves bounce off a dish to a single point above the dish, no matter where they first hit the dish.