Parabolic usually refers to something in a shape of a
parabola
In mathematics, a parabola is a plane curve which is Reflection symmetry, mirror-symmetrical and is approximately U-shaped. It fits several superficially different Mathematics, mathematical descriptions, which can all be proved to define exactl ...
, but may also refer to a
parable
A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whe ...
.
Parabolic may refer to:
*In mathematics:
**In elementary mathematics, especially elementary geometry:
**
Parabolic coordinates
Parabolic coordinates are a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system in which the coordinate lines are confocal parabolas. A three-dimensional version of parabolic coordinates is obtained by rotating the two-dimensional system about the symm ...
**
Parabolic cylindrical coordinates
In mathematics, parabolic cylindrical coordinates are a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates, orthogonal coordinate system that results from projecting the two-dimensional parabolic coordinates, parabolic coordinate system in the
perpendicular ...
**
parabolic Möbius transformation
**
Parabolic geometry (disambiguation)
**
Parabolic spiral
**
Parabolic line
**In advanced mathematics:
***
Parabolic cylinder function
***
Parabolic induction
***
Parabolic Lie algebra
***
Parabolic partial differential equation
A parabolic partial differential equation is a type of partial differential equation (PDE). Parabolic PDEs are used to describe a wide variety of time-dependent phenomena in, for example, engineering science, quantum mechanics and financial ma ...
*In physics:
**
Parabolic trajectory
In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a parabolic trajectory is a Kepler orbit with the Orbital eccentricity, eccentricity equal to 1 and is an unbound orbit that is exactly on the border between elliptical and hyperbolic. When moving away f ...
*In technology:
**
Parabolic antenna
A parabolic antenna is an antenna that uses a parabolic reflector, a curved surface with the cross-sectional shape of a parabola, to direct the radio waves. The most common form is shaped like a dish and is popularly called a dish antenna or p ...
**
Parabolic microphone
**
Parabolic reflector
A parabolic (or paraboloid or paraboloidal) reflector (or dish or mirror) is a Mirror, reflective surface used to collect or project energy such as light, sound, or radio waves. Its shape is part of a circular paraboloid, that is, the surface ge ...
**
Parabolic trough
A parabolic trough collector (PTC) is a type of solar thermal collector that is straight in one dimension and curved as a parabola in the other two, lined with a polished metal mirror. The sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of ...
- a type of solar thermal energy collector
**
Parabolic flight - a way of achieving weightlessness
**
Parabolic action, or parabolic bending curve - a term often used to refer to a progressive bending curve in
fishing rod
A fishing rod or fishing pole is a long, thin rod used by angling, anglers to fishing, catch fish by manipulating a fishing line, line ending in a fish hook, hook (formerly known as an ''angle'', hence the term "angling"). At its most basic ...
s.
*In commodities and stock markets:
**
Parabolic SAR - a chart pattern in which prices rise or fall with an increasingly steeper slope
*Other
**
Parabolic dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
, a sand formation
{{disambiguation