Conics Sections in the Real World
Conic Sections are figures that are formed by intersections on a right circular cone. A Conic Section can either be a porabola, an ellipse, a circle, or a hyperbola depending on the angle of the intersection throught the cone. Here we will observe real world examples of each conic sections man made and made naturally.
What are Conic Sections?
By: Zach M.
Parabolas
This is an example of a parabola not really made, but its occourence in the world is natural. When dolphins jump out of the water and back in they create a parabola with the way they jump out of the water by natural instincts. This example is significant not really to humans, but may have an impact on the dolphins themselves as they may use this technique to efficientally get air into their bodies without floating and staying still on the surface of the water as that may be a danger to them from other predetors attacking at a vulnerable moment for dolphines.
This is an example of a parabola in the real world that is man made and does have an impact on us as humans. You may have already seen parabolas in many bridges and this is why parabolas in bridges are a good example of conic sections in the real world. With the auto and transportation industry being bigger than ever, the need for things such as bridges arises and influences the way we travel. Parabola shaped supports hold up big bridges that many people use such as The Golden Gate bridge and influence the construction of bridges all in general so without parabolas, the whole concept of having good, reliable bridges that all can use would just be a fantasy.
Conclusion
From doing this project and doing the research that I've done, I have expanded my knowledge of conics past the classroom into everyday life. I have learned more about conic sections in general and how they can be represented in many different forms in many different places. Above all else I have learned about conic expression and how conics influence the world we live in more than ever before with examples that were made by man and others that were made naturally.