Does anyone know how to make a hyperbola using a flashlight?

Question

I'm wondering how to make a hyperbola by shining the flashlight at a certain angle on the wall or ground. Help is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

yep.

in a dark room, shine it on the floor.

straight down makes a circle.

at an angle makes an ellipse.

at a greater angle makes a parabola.

at an even greater angle makes a hyperbola.

typically, you see a symmetrical hyperbola.

but if you read the definition below, it does not have to be symmetrical.

Answer 2

Wow, second time in less than an hour. =)

You can only get half of the hyperbola by laying the flashlight on the ground.