Parabolic Reflectors

1. Parabolic Reflectors By: Brandon Ruby

2. Basic Information A parabolic reflector, dish, or mirror is a device that is used to collect or project energy such as light, sound, or radio waves alter incoming plane waves traveling along the same axis as the parabola into a wave that is spherical and they all meet at the focus of the mirror collect energy from distant energy sources such as star light

3. History The theory has been around since classical antiquity, which refers to ancient Greece and Rome Diocles , a mathematician in antiquity, wrote that parabolic reflectors focus a parallel beam to a point in his book, On Burning Mirrors It is said that Archimedes built a huge mirror, or parabolic reflector, and used it to catch opposing ships on fire in the Siege of Syracuse battle

4. 2-D Reflector parabolic troughs are considered to be two dimensional parabola is what you see when you look at the end of it Light is generally focused on a pipe that runs in front of the reflectors Pipe is set at the focus point of the reflectors so that the most heat will be created Able to move with the sun

5. 3-D Reflector Parabola can be seen from every angle Larger parabolic reflectors that are dishes are generally used to power engines running generators Able to move with the sun so they can get the most direct sunlight

6. Applications of Parabolic Reflectors Satellite dishes Reflecting telescopes R adio telescopes P arabolic microphones L ighting devices Spotlights C ar headlights PAR Cans LED housings

7. Why Parabolic Reflectors Work Geometric properties of the paraboloidal shape Principle is if the angle of incidence to the inner surface of the collector equals the angle of reflection, then any incoming ray (light, sound, or radio) that is parallel to the dish will be reflected to a central point, or “focus ” Focus the rays in a beam outward just as they came into the reflector

8. Why Parabolic Reflectors Work Parabolic reflects do not suffer from a spherical aberration Can be made to accept beams of any sort of width Parabolic reflectors were probably the first type of solar cooker ever created

9. Solar Cookers One disadvantage is that the solar energy is concentrated in an incredibly small area If making a solar cooker, you should have a parabolic reflector with a focal length of 1 to 3 meters or 3 to 10 feet for the best cooking conditions The distance from the center of the reflector or parabolas surface to the focus point is the focal distance

10. Works Cited http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28553/28553-h/images/image133.jpg http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Solar_dish_at_Ben-Gurion_National_Solar_Energy_Center_in_Israel.jpg/220px-Solar_dish_at_Ben-Gurion_National_Solar_Energy_Center_in_Israel.jpg http://www.cs.drexel.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Mirrors/MirrorBig.jpg http://www.solar-facts.com/light-concentration/parabolic-reflector.php http://www.chipchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/elsbbq_l.jpg http://powerservices.lakho.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/solar-trough-technology1.jpg http://www.itwdynatec.com/Portals/0/images/industry%20solutions/LP-CTB02.jpg http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Fortec-Star/Dishes/240CM-C-Band-Dish-sample.gif http://www.furnitureinfashion.net/images/811-BC-spot-light-black-chrome.jpg http://www.mrgadget.com.au/catalog/images/carson_sky_telescope.gif http://www.solar-homes.us/images/solar-cookers.jpg http://wohnen.pege.org/2005-afrika/solarkocher.jpg