. . Parabola The interesting applications of Parabola involve their use as reflectors and receivers of light or radio waves. For instance, cross sections of car headlights, flashlights are parabolas wherein the gadgets are formed by the paraboloid of revolution about its axis.
The bulb in the headlights, flash lights is located at the focus and light from that point is reflected outward parallel to the axis of symmetry (Fig. . ) while Satellite dishes and field microphones used at sporting events, incoming radio waves or sound waves parallel to the axis that are reflected into the focus intensifying the same (Fig. .
). Similarly, in solar cooking, a parabolic mirror is mounted on a rack with a cooking pot hung in the focal area (Fig. . ).
Incoming Sun rays parallel to the axis are reflected into the focus producing a temperature high enough for cooking. Parabolic arches are the best stable structures also considered for their beauty to name a few, the arches on the bridge of river in Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India, the Eiffel tower in Paris, France. Fig. .