1L20.40 - Conical Sections

Code Number:
1L20.40
Demo Title:
Conical Sections
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Curves and Arcs
Area of Study:
Mechanics and Astronomy
Equipment:
Dissectible Cone.
Procedure:

See also 1L20.40 in Astronomy.

No advanced notice necessary, set the equipment up as shown.

References:
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "A Second Point Regarding Conic Sections", TPT, Vol. 52, #2, Feb. 2014, p. 69.
  • William Layton, "Regarding Conic Sections", TPT, Vol. 52, #2, Feb. 2014, p. 68.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "The Shapes of Physics", TPT, Vol. 51, #9, Dec. 2013, p. 524.
  • Hugh Henderson, "Of Orbits, Conics, and Grammar", TPT, Vol. 43, #2, Feb. 2005, p. 84. 
  • Kenneth E. Horst, "The Shape of Lamp Shade Shadows", TPT, Vol. 39, #2, Mar. 2001, p. 139.
  • David Chandler, "Understanding Parabolic Reflectors Through Paper Folding", TPT, Vol. 39, #1, Jan. 2001, p. 24.
  • Christopher Chiaverina, Cindee Scott, and Patricia Steele, "The Connections Project: Art, Physics, and Mathematics", TPT, Vol. 35, #5, May 1997, p. 292.
  • Marvin Ohriner, Herbert H. Gottlieb, and The AAPT Committee on Apparatus, "Constructing on Hyperbola", TPT, Vol. 5, #6, Sept. 1967, p. 286, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Idea - Tricks of the Trade.
  • James L. Cronin Jr., "Graphical Construction of Conic Sections", TPT, Vol. 4, #1, Jan. 1966, p. 19.
  • Mario Iona, "Satellite Orbits", TPT, Vol. 1, #2, May 1963, p. 55.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Conic Section Cone", AJP, Vol. 80, #12, Dec. 2012, p. 1060.
  • J. W. Foreman Jr., "The Conic Sections Revisited", AJP, Vol. 59, #11, Nov. 1991, p. 1002.
  • Don Rathjen and Paul Doherty, "Hyperbolic Slot", Square Wheels, 2002, p. 35.
  • D. Tattersfield, "Orbital Motion", Project & Demonstrations in Astronomy, p. 12.
  • "Dissected Cone", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, Pike's Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of Optical, Mathematical, and Philosophical Instruments, 1984, p. 269.
  • The Queen Catalogues, Catalogue of Physical Instruments, No. 4044, p. 3

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.