Linear Parabolic Solar Reflectors: A Practical Experiment for Students

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  • Опубліковано 12 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 169

  • @juantamad5784
    @juantamad5784 10 місяців тому +4

    ... explanation is as clear as the bright Sun... great job and thank you for sharing.

  • @ayubasghar1345
    @ayubasghar1345 8 років тому +7

    THE BEST VIDEO OF PARABOLIC MIRROR CONSTRUCTION ON THE NET, as far as I have searched, THANKS A LOT, GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  8 років тому +2

      Thanks, Ayub. It's more an exercise for Maths and Science education than a practical device like most of the other videos on UA-cam, but I appreciate your comment.

    • @1islam1
      @1islam1 3 місяці тому

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      🔴 Islam is not just another religion.
      🔵 It is the same message preached by Moses, Jesus and Abraham.
      🔴 Islam literally means ‘submission to God’ and it teaches us to have a direct relationship with God.
      🔵 It reminds us that since God created us, no one should be worshipped except God alone.
      🔴 It also teaches that God is nothing like a human being or like anything that we can imagine.
      🌍 The concept of God is summarized in the Quran as:
      📖 { “Say, He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He does not give birth, nor was He born, and there is nothing like Him.”} (Quran 112:1-4) 📚
      🔴 Becoming a Muslim is not turning your back to Jesus.
      🔵 Rather it’s going back to the original teachings of Jesus and obeying him.

  • @DenBlackburn
    @DenBlackburn 2 місяці тому

    I made a Linear Parabolic reflector way back when I was in school so I could use it as a directional beam antenna for my CB, I pointed it in the direction of my friends CB antenna, it worked fantastic, (no good if you wanted a group chat) as I only wanted to talk to him, it did the job, that was about 40 years ago, eek!

  • @Andymac1701A
    @Andymac1701A 3 роки тому +2

    Best explanation I have seen, having the maths explained makes all this far easier to understand.

  • @XoshBitt
    @XoshBitt Рік тому +1

    I'm horrible at math but i'm interested to make my own parabola. Thank you so much for teaching this in a way that is simple an practical. I love now knowing how I can adjust the focal point. Thanks a lot for this video. Looking at your website too.. very interesting stuff.

  • @OnHoldAt50
    @OnHoldAt50 2 роки тому

    Yup, good one. I'll be back when I'm ready for this stage of my solar project. Materials will increase in quality and ability, but the principles you outlined are exactly what this DIYer needed. Thanks.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you. Hope the project goes well.

  • @buzzwerd8093
    @buzzwerd8093 6 років тому +1

    A half ellipse containing 1 vertex will focus straight light coming in onto that vertex. A lot of car headlight reflectors are elliptical, check a car parts store or junkyard.
    When you make a trough reflector, run a pipe along the axis and heat water in that.

  • @TheSumpek
    @TheSumpek 5 років тому +6

    Thankyou so much.
    I've been lookong for an answer of focus point in concave (from circle) mirror .
    And this video showed me that focus point only exist in Parabolic.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  5 років тому +2

      No problem!

    • @poligraph841
      @poligraph841 3 роки тому +3

      An absolute focus point only exists in parabolic, that's true. But practically for a solar concentration it is not a problem to use spherical one, because the reflectors usually are not very deep ( curved ) and the solar light will be concentrated practically in the same size area as for a parabolic mirror. Parabolic mirrors are important for telescopes only.

    • @calopsitamalucabird9434
      @calopsitamalucabird9434 3 роки тому +1

      @@poligraph841 spherical mirrors can be used in telescopes too. But below f10 they will start presenting spherical aberration.

  • @rafaelvieira7897
    @rafaelvieira7897 8 років тому +7

    I did the math with different numbers and it worked perfectly. Thank you for the video it was really helpfull to me!!!

  • @lajoskekesi4274
    @lajoskekesi4274 7 років тому

    Nagyon részletes jól érthető volt.Köszönöm. Megpróbálom megvalósítani és használni

  • @iandale
    @iandale 2 роки тому

    Brilliant thanks, I’d just ordered some mirror card and wondered how to set up the parabolic frame to hold it in place.

  • @abo7sain1
    @abo7sain1 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the illustration, you solve the y-axis point. But still the focal point on the z-axis need to be calculated to set it outside the 3D parabolic receiver!

  • @oktogen1476
    @oktogen1476 Рік тому

    Definitely best, most useful video on topic.

  • @mia8139
    @mia8139 4 роки тому +2

    This is really helpful and great content THANK YOU

  • @LabradorLeader
    @LabradorLeader 7 років тому +9

    The parabolic trough you made has many (an infinite number !) of focal points along a line, instead you only placed the paper stick touching a small part of that line which you called the focal point. If you place another paper stick at right angles to the existing one at its tip (to form a letter 'T') , you will trace out the focal line with the top of the T.

    • @crow578
      @crow578 Місяць тому

      That can definitely needed to be positioned closer to the reflector.

  • @ElysianDreams
    @ElysianDreams 3 роки тому +2

    I have always used the formula "depth = radius^2/(4*fp)", where fp is your desired focal point distance. Radius squared (x dimension squared) divided by 4 times desired focal point distance. Remember to use the same units for x and y
    Example: fp = 72 r = 30 = 900/288 = 3.125 depth

    • @brandnewayurveda1835
      @brandnewayurveda1835 2 роки тому

      Hey Good Afternoon, As You seems to have knowledge in this kind of Stuff. I am a reaserch person (in medical science) and I want to evaporate water from a circular dish of radius appx 1.5feet. the depth of Dish is appx 10cm.
      I put that dish with some active material inside it to evaporate the whole mixture. At last i get solidified mass at bottom of that dish.
      What I am asking is i want to fasten the evaporation of the contains with help of solar energy. Any idea how to do that.
      I tried this parabola but it's hard to focus the point on ground as dish is heavy and I can't keep it in middle of air hanging.
      Can we focus this parabola on ground , how so? Is there any other method by which is can increase the evaporation of that dish contains without fuel ?

    • @zucchina24
      @zucchina24 2 роки тому

      @@brandnewayurveda1835 you need a larger dish! Large surface area of the dish larger amounts of sun energy can focused…

    • @ananddharwar2198
      @ananddharwar2198 2 роки тому

      If you want to keep the dish to be heated on the ground, use a magnifying glass

  • @pauloinventostube7533
    @pauloinventostube7533 3 роки тому +1

    Great information 🤜🔔🤛 success there family

  • @Kube_Dog
    @Kube_Dog 7 років тому

    Very nice. Brought back some schoolin' from long ago. Well explained and demonstrated. And kept simple at the same time.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому

      Glad you liked it, Kube!

  • @gustavososa725
    @gustavososa725 3 роки тому +1

    wonderful awesome job congratulations.
    Thank You so muchq
    👏👏👏 🇦🇷

  • @sunshine7453
    @sunshine7453 6 років тому +2

    This is the best video. It was so well done and explained. Thank you for making great effort.

  • @civismesecret
    @civismesecret 5 років тому

    You are a very good teacher.. I hated school but if I could have a teacher that explain with baby-steps like you did, I would love it. Thx !!

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  5 років тому

      Thanks, Civisme. It's a shame you hated school. Feel free to visit the LEM website to read more about science.

  • @arnaudwald3479
    @arnaudwald3479 2 роки тому

    thank you , merci I loved your demo, simple and clear .

  • @ajmalmaad4497
    @ajmalmaad4497 7 років тому

    Sir! You solved my problem. Although I made a water heater but it's shape was circular. Now I will use this parabolic formula. Thank you for sharing.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +1

      You're welcome. I hope it works out for you.

  • @kennethd.9436
    @kennethd.9436 6 років тому +2

    Amazing video! Great job filming, editing, and recording this project.

  • @PhG1961
    @PhG1961 4 роки тому

    Excellent !! Very well explained !!

  • @Dendritic
    @Dendritic 2 роки тому +2

    Great! How about Mylar (from emergency blanket) instead of aluminum foil?

  • @volt8399
    @volt8399 3 роки тому

    Thank you for showing such a practical example!

  • @jsudhakar9187
    @jsudhakar9187 Рік тому

    Well explained about parabola calculation

  • @kumardigvijaymishra5945
    @kumardigvijaymishra5945 5 років тому

    Thanks for giving working numbers. I shall get back to finding some supplies and much needed material. I suppose both mugs were made of anodized metal with black paint for maximum absorption?

  • @baranjan4172
    @baranjan4172 2 роки тому

    Cool explanation, thanks.

  • @WTF_BBQ
    @WTF_BBQ Рік тому

    I like this. Makes it easy to understand....

  • @ycjeon765
    @ycjeon765 7 років тому +1

    This video is so useful. Thanks for sharing!

  • @thagrit
    @thagrit 8 років тому +2

    Your struts are called gussets. great work sir! you just gained a subscriber.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  8 років тому

      Thanks, thagrit. I didn't know that. I've always called those kinds of things struts (or ties if they're made of wire).

  • @mtiris1
    @mtiris1 4 роки тому

    very good and teaching video.appreciated!

  • @ervinmontemayorsoe9789
    @ervinmontemayorsoe9789 2 роки тому

    Good Video but I am planning to put a servo motor in a single axis direction to track the sun. Hope my project goes well.

  • @fostnepal5534
    @fostnepal5534 9 місяців тому

    Very useful for the solar cooking promoters like us.

  • @miguelorbe3000
    @miguelorbe3000 7 років тому +9

    wow, your video is really helpful,l is exactly the information I was looking for, thank you.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  6 років тому +1

      You're welcome.

  • @shsw1273
    @shsw1273 6 років тому

    Thanks for giving the method of calculating the focal length .

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  6 років тому

      No problem. Thanks for watching.

  • @canusakommando9692
    @canusakommando9692 6 років тому

    Simple. Thanks. I enjoy quadratic equations but this is very practical.

  • @santoshk63
    @santoshk63 5 років тому

    Very exact information with simple language.

  • @ohno4988
    @ohno4988 4 роки тому

    absolutely brilliant explanation ☺ thank you

  • @makewhatyoulike119
    @makewhatyoulike119 7 років тому

    terrific explanation of the math for plotting the curve and finding the focal point. Thank you. Subscribed

  • @electricsaversavesit
    @electricsaversavesit 8 років тому +2

    Thank you for sharing this experiment, hope you'll allow me to use this information to my research.. thanks..

  • @corax2012
    @corax2012 5 років тому

    Even I could understand this. :) Needed a good explanation of parabolic math formula.

  • @senensoberano847
    @senensoberano847 7 років тому

    Thank you very much. Your illustration would be very useful to those who want to design efficient parabolic reflectors for solar cookers. Some are just constructing their parabolic reflectors based on random dimensions.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +1

      Yes, that's probably true. However, my linear parabolic reflector is not ideal for use as a solar cooker either; it's really a science experiment for students.

    • @moonnight3847
      @moonnight3847 7 років тому

      LiacosEM your linear parabolic project was great but let me tell you sir that you are wrong in onething, and that is that you are actually able to cook with that linear desing if the linear parabola is made biger and with better reflected material. thanks by the way understanding this will help any one desing their own parabolic cookers i learned alot thanks againg.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому

      Thanks Moon Night. With my simple design, my students have managed to heat up a small amount of water to about 60 degrees Celsius. Real solar cookers I've seen are usually 3D paraboloids, like satellite dishes. However, parabolas are at the heart of both, and I hope that my students learn that maths plays a big part in the design process of so many things in our lives!

  • @fernandoasprilla9733
    @fernandoasprilla9733 Рік тому

    exelente comentario muy educativo
    saludos desde colombia

  • @agoradacerto
    @agoradacerto 6 років тому

    I liked your teaching approach!

  • @akashzend7097
    @akashzend7097 7 років тому

    I am see no. of Video of how to make parabolic solar concentrater but you are the excellent 👌👌 because you explaine very perfect good job sir👍👍👍

  • @havehalkow
    @havehalkow 7 років тому

    Outstandingly good explanation, thousands of "thanks" ! :)

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +1

      You are welcome, Have!

  • @LifesVoyager
    @LifesVoyager Рік тому

    If you take a reflector such as this one, and point it straight up at the cloudless night sky, will it focus the absorption effect of the black body absorber that is space?

  • @tmahmood4
    @tmahmood4 9 місяців тому

    Will you please tell me the focal length of an hyperbolic mirror.

  • @addestensfors8425
    @addestensfors8425 4 роки тому

    Since it's flat it is not really focusing in a point but a line, still very useful...

  • @SurjitSingh-xl2jh
    @SurjitSingh-xl2jh 6 років тому

    Nice work Sir. U r a good teacher.

  • @sarahb.6549
    @sarahb.6549 5 років тому

    It´s possible to draw parabolas with free CAD or SketchUp too. In Sketchup the Extension is named "curve maker"

  • @bhanusingh8654
    @bhanusingh8654 3 роки тому

    Good information sir.

  • @9035
    @9035 5 років тому

    Great video and easy to understand.

  • @mrmshifan
    @mrmshifan 8 років тому

    Great video, really well explained. Thank you. I like to make something similar to dry food. The information I got from the video is really valuable. Thank you :)

  • @stevenmcgarva574
    @stevenmcgarva574 8 років тому

    Great video and very well explained

  • @sols1011
    @sols1011 6 років тому

    Great. very lucid explanation.

  • @abbasamro6645
    @abbasamro6645 3 роки тому

    Good job dear , i would like to know what the equation that help me to know the concentrated resultant heat temperature ?.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks, Abbas. Apparently, the heat we receive from the Sun averages out to about 1000 Watts per square meter on the Earth's surface. If this heat radiation is concentrated into a small area, there is significant heating. The surface area of my little experimental reflector is quite small, but my students have still managed to heat water to about 60 degrees Celsius.

  • @رابحعزيل-ب1ط
    @رابحعزيل-ب1ط Рік тому

    Danke, Professor, für die Erklärung, wie man einen Solarkocher baut Damit die ganze Welt davon profitiert

  • @sassysisplays9465
    @sassysisplays9465 Рік тому

    Sir can you tell me the materials involved in it? Means the materials you used especially which cup you have used?

    • @sassysisplays9465
      @sassysisplays9465 Рік тому

      Oh i mean the controlcan

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  Рік тому

      Both cans were small steel cans that we use as overflow cans. You can use any small cans!

  • @kusumahari89
    @kusumahari89 4 роки тому

    Indonesia watching. So good

  • @giovannig.624
    @giovannig.624 Рік тому

    Is it possible to build a telescope with two linear parabolic mirrors? Instead of one "3d" parabolic mirror + one plane mirror...

  • @ayubasghar1345
    @ayubasghar1345 8 років тому +2

    please iron the aluminum foil with a piece of cotton or wool cloth above it, to make a more smooth mirror.

  • @3fulggg
    @3fulggg 3 роки тому

    Very helpful video

  • @jabujavi
    @jabujavi 3 роки тому

    Soooo god mix of math and physhics for a science experiment with teens...

  • @TymexComputing
    @TymexComputing 3 роки тому

    Nice :) haha - LEM is a classic Sci-Fi polish author :) Stanisław Lem :)

  • @WhatDadIsUpTo
    @WhatDadIsUpTo 4 роки тому +1

    A much easier method to focus a large area of sunlight to a single point would be to make something on the order of a pie dish with the reflective surface being the slanted edge of the dish. If the dish slant is 45°, parallel light waves incoming will be focused to the center in a circle and eventually to a single point. Soooo much easier to construct.
    If you are dead set on building a parabolic curve, an easy method is to use a piece of plywood with an x and y axis, the axis running close to the bottom of the sheet. Just drive a nail on the y-axis where you want the focus to be and using a carpenter square, put the corner of the Carpenters square along the x line and the other leg of the square on the nail and draw a line from the corner out. Do this at several places along the x line on each side of the y line and the resulting mishmash of lines very closely approximates a parabolic curve. Now, you can cut that out with a bandsaw and you're on your way.

  • @VietNguyen-vi7xt
    @VietNguyen-vi7xt 7 років тому

    Good illumination.

  • @brandnewayurveda1835
    @brandnewayurveda1835 2 роки тому

    Hey Good Afternoon, As You seems to have knowledge in this kind of Stuff. I am a reaserch person (in medical science) and I want to evaporate water from a circular dish of radius appx 1.5feet. the depth of Dish is appx 10cm.
    I put that dish with some active material inside it to evaporate the whole mixture. At last i get solidified mass at bottom of that dish.
    What I am asking is i want to fasten the evaporation of the contains with help of solar energy. Any idea how to do that.
    I tried this parabola but it's hard to focus the point on ground as dish is heavy and I can't keep it in middle of air hanging.
    Can we focus this parabola on ground , how so? Is there any other method by which is can increase the evaporation of that dish contains without fuel ?

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  2 роки тому

      Good question. You can try just using flat mirrors or aluminium sheets. But the sun moves across the sky so they have to be movable. Good luck.

  • @topannurhakim
    @topannurhakim 3 роки тому

    ini yg aku cari, penjelasan yg sangat gamblang,

  • @jolyzacharie8189
    @jolyzacharie8189 7 років тому

    thx a lot you are a good teacher

  • @HattiYounes
    @HattiYounes 4 роки тому

    Thank you! :)

  • @laurencerilling5873
    @laurencerilling5873 10 місяців тому

    Im surprised you didnt show easier ways to trace the shape

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  9 місяців тому

      My aim was to show students how Math, Science and Engineering are all interrelated. All the tech that we use is refined and improved with mathematical techniques.

  • @charliedevine6869
    @charliedevine6869 7 років тому

    You can also use 2 nails and a string.

    • @RangerCaptain11A
      @RangerCaptain11A 7 років тому +1

      two nails and a string would create an ellipse, which has two focal points.

    • @racketman2u
      @racketman2u 6 років тому +1

      Two nails and a string would be a straight line.

    • @lylestavast7652
      @lylestavast7652 6 років тому

      drive a nail where you want the focus to be. Tie one end of the string around that nail. Extend the dangling string downward toward you on your surface with a loose loop where you want the base of the parabola to be, and run the rest of the string vertical up the surface past the nail but attach it to the side of a 90 degree triangle square just touching the nail... Put your pen at the loop directly down toward you from the focus nail - that'll be the start of one side of your parabola... now slide the square straight to the right side and keep the pen tight against the string - as you continue to move the square, the string will slide upward and you'll trace a parabola shape... reverse it the other direction or trace the 1/2 you already did... Bob's your uncle. (since the teacher sounded ozzish (well, at least commonwealth something...)). Cheers.

  • @romanzavodin6461
    @romanzavodin6461 6 років тому

    Отличное видео, благодарю! Лайк!

  • @jobbingactor
    @jobbingactor Рік тому

    meanwhile, just bend a reflective surface and use a thermometer till it’s what you want.

  • @joesphhuffman4020
    @joesphhuffman4020 5 років тому

    How do you enunciate parabola

  • @paulanthonybridge5741
    @paulanthonybridge5741 3 роки тому

    No calculus needed, the paraboloid can be drawn directly by using a ruler, and 90 degree angle.

  • @sivansantana
    @sivansantana 8 років тому +1

    perfect. its always better when apply mathematics.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +1

      It sure is. I think students understand Science topics better if a little Maths is applied.

  • @pradeep-ez3dr
    @pradeep-ez3dr 3 роки тому

    Thank you so much

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  3 роки тому

      Glad you liked it.

  • @jeromegorriz5452
    @jeromegorriz5452 6 років тому

    Thanks a lot !

  • @madhavishrivant2480
    @madhavishrivant2480 7 років тому

    Sir what if We take an A4 size graph paper and takes X co ordinates form -12 to 12 ? Will it have The same focal length of 10 cm ?

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому

      Yes. If you look at the 5:30 mark of the video, you will see that the incident light will hit the parabola above the level of the focal point but it will then deflect downwards towards the focal point. For my specifications, all the incident light reflects back upwards towards the focal point except for the light that hits at -10 and at +10. These light beams reflect horizontally (with respect to the plane of the reflector). Every parabola has one focal point, regardless of how wide it is.

  • @ashtwenty12
    @ashtwenty12 6 років тому

    thanks for the information. no more templates online when making water heaters :D

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  6 років тому +1

      No problem, ashtwenty12. I'd love to see your finished products.

  • @corriedebeer799
    @corriedebeer799 11 місяців тому

    God the way you pronounced parabola was just about the most ridiculously Australian thing I have ever heard.

  • @alvaro.sacris1930
    @alvaro.sacris1930 4 роки тому +1

    But, you make the parabola in one direction, but in the z axis there no curvature, it's flat. How is it that reflects light to the point

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  4 роки тому +1

      You are completely correct in your thinking. The reflector doesn't reflect light to a point (like a satellite dish would) and so it's called a "linear" parabolic reflector. My aim was teach my students about the importance of mathematics and to do a practical science activity that involves a lot of maths. However, a lot of people who actually want to design solar cookers (and related things) have found the video useful in the design process that they go through. I must admit I was surprised initially! However, the use of mathematics makes everything better!

    • @alvaro.sacris1930
      @alvaro.sacris1930 4 роки тому

      @@LiacosEM thanks for your kick response. I was thinking about make a 3d model of a barabolic, I'll have to figure it out. Also how to manage to put this reflective metal paper on the surface without breaking it nor wrinkle it... Impossible to do it perfectly, isnt it?
      Heating it up would work?
      Thanks

  • @attilarivera
    @attilarivera 5 років тому +2

    👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

  • @spherevsgravity
    @spherevsgravity 2 роки тому

    thank you thank you thank you thank you

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  2 роки тому +1

      You're welcome x 4. I'm guessing you found it useful!!

    • @spherevsgravity
      @spherevsgravity 2 роки тому

      @@LiacosEM yes to build a satellite reflector

  • @bren.r
    @bren.r 7 років тому

    Or you can just use parabolic mirrors and make the effect exponentially better than your aluminum foil and linear approach.

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +3

      It's really a science experiment to teach students the mathematics of parabolas and how they're used to focus light. However, linear parabolic reflectors are used to heat oil in a pipe that runs along the focal line. See commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parabolic_trough_solar_thermal_electric_power_plant_1.jpg. My school has a parabolic mirror and my students are really impressed when I use it to ignite paper. But teaching is not really about showing kids stuff, it's about getting kids to learn by doing stuff!!

  • @arioacasius4027
    @arioacasius4027 2 роки тому

    En Español por favor 🙏

  • @yvesyaxkin8895
    @yvesyaxkin8895 7 років тому

    This video is so exciting for me xd

  • @LaElahElaAllah01
    @LaElahElaAllah01 2 роки тому

    thanks

  • @faustominuzzo9263
    @faustominuzzo9263 7 років тому +1

    Grazie, Fausto (Italia)

    • @LiacosEM
      @LiacosEM  7 років тому +1

      Prego, Fausto.

  • @SWARAJSINGH2008
    @SWARAJSINGH2008 3 роки тому

    thankyou

  • @harinik2890
    @harinik2890 3 роки тому

    Super

  • @carmenj2549
    @carmenj2549 4 роки тому

    interesante🙂👍

  • @genesioapretto5077
    @genesioapretto5077 6 років тому

    Nice

  • @BajicZivkoTesla8888
    @BajicZivkoTesla8888 5 років тому +1

    Браво

  • @deathray3004
    @deathray3004 2 роки тому

    *coordinates