7 The 'parabolic' TV satellite dish in the diagram can be modelled by the surface generated by the rotation of part of a parabola around a vertical \(z\)-axis. The model is represented by part of the surface with equation \(z = \mathrm { f } ( x , y )\) and \(O\) is on the surface.
The point \(P\) is on the rim of the dish and directly above the \(x\)-axis.
The object, \(B\), modelled as a point on the \(z\)-axis is the receiving box which collects the TV signals reflected by the dish.
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f2166e0a-cd4c-40af-b4b4-04ef4919d996-3_753_995_584_525}
- The horizontal plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\), containing the point \(P\), intersects the surface of the model in a contour of the surface.
(a) Sketch this contour in the Printed Answer Booklet.
(b) State a suitable equation for this contour. - A second plane, \(\Pi _ { 2 }\), containing both \(P\) and the \(z\)-axis, intersects the surface of the model in a section of the surface.
(a) Sketch this section in the Printed Answer Booklet.
(b) State a suitable equation for this section. - A proposed equation for the surface is \(z = a x ^ { 2 } + b y ^ { 2 }\). What can you say about the constants \(a\) and \(b\) within this equation? Justify your answers.
- The real TV satellite dish has the following measurements (in metres): the height of \(P\) above \(O\) is 0.065 and the perimeter of the rim is 2.652 . Using this information, calculate correct to three decimal places the values of
- \(a\) and \(b\),
- any other constants stated within the answers to parts (i)(b) and (ii)(b).
- Incoming satellite signals arrive at the dish in linear "beams" travelling parallel to the \(z\)-axis. They are then 'bounced' off the dish to the receiving box at \(B\).
- On the diagram for part (ii)(a) in the Printed Answer Booklet draw some of these beams and mark \(B\).
- If the values of \(a\) and \(b\) were changed, what would happen?