Conic Section (Noun)
Meaning
(geometry) a curve generated by the intersection of a plane and a circular cone.
Classification
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes.
Examples
- The study of conic sections is crucial in understanding various geometric shapes and their applications in engineering and physics.
- In the field of astronomy, conic sections are used to describe the orbits of celestial bodies such as planets and comets.
- Conic sections are also essential in the design of optical instruments, such as lenses and mirrors.
- The intersection of a plane and a circular cone produces a conic section, which can be a circle, ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola.
- The shapes of satellite dishes and telescope mirrors are often designed as conic sections to focus incoming signals and light.