Parabola Graph.
Uses of Parabolas/Parabolic Shapes in Real Life
Hello there!
In the real world, the wonderful properties of parabolic shapes are used in various ways. These shapes may be in a 3D form, where a parabola is revolved about its axis.
The reflective property of the parabola is used in the examples as shown below:
Parabolic Reflector
A parabolic reflector is used to accumulate energy at a single point (the focus) from rays which are parallel to the axis of the parabola or reflect energy. This energy includes light, sound and radio waves.Antenna of a Radio Telescope
One way is to gather television signals by satellites that orbit around the earth. This is how some of our shows can be broadcasted live with good quality. Other ways include using the property of parabolic discs in reverse. Searchlights require concentrated beams of light rays and this can be obtained by locating the light source at the focus point itself. When it is turned on, the light bounces off the sides of the disc and the waves are directed outwards as beams of parallel light rays.
Flashlights & Headlights
If light is shine from the focus of a parabolic mirror (a light bulb facing the mirror is placed there, light rays will move in all direction. Some of these light rays would hit the parabolic mirror and then bounce of the mirror in the same direction. Hence, light shines in a straight line in the torchlight, stage lights, and headlight on a car. The distance in which the light can reach furthest is quite far.
Telescopes
The reflective property of parabola can also be applied reversibly, meaning to say that light rays moving which reflects into the parabolic mirror will all converge at the focus point, so that all the dim light particles can be accumulated to form a ray that is very visible to the human eye. One example is the light coming from a star in the sky, which requires one to use a telescope to be able to see it.
Microphones
If a microphone is placed at the focus of a parabolic mirror, it can be collect and focus sound waves onto a receiver which came from quite some distance away, such that the sounds are amplified. This can be used by sports casters to listen to conversations which are going on among the people on the sports field, like what the players and coach might be talking about, nature recording/listening etc. Conversely, it can be used to amplify sounds since all of the sound waves would be concentrated at a single point before being reflected in the same direction. Hence the amplified volume of voices projected by the speakers.