Parabola

High school (ages 12+)
Mathematics & Numbers

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/parabola

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the discoverer?Systematically studied by Apollonius of Perga in his 'Conics'
2. What is the physics application?Describes the trajectory of projectiles under gravity (ignoring air resistance)
3. Why do rockets use parabolas?When a rocket is launched, it moves in a curved path that looks like a parabola. This happens because gravity pulls it down while it keeps going forward.
4. How does a parabolic mirror work?A parabolic mirror reflects light or radio waves so that all rays that come in parallel to its axis meet at the focus. This makes the light bright and focused, which is why telescopes and headlights use it.