The Reflection Property of a Hyperbola
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This animation demonstrates the reflection property of hyperbolae.
(See notes below.)
When a photon is emitted from one focus of a hyperbola and strikes a
branch of that hyperbola, it is reflected so that
it behaves as though it had come from
the other focus. Here, a red pulse is emitted from the left focus and
strikes the right branch of the hyperbola. A green pulse is emitted
from the right focus, timed so that the two pulses hit the vertex of
the right branch simultaneously. Note the striking effect: The
wavefronts appear to exchange places. (11/16/07)