Final answer:
A lamp shaped like a parabola when viewed from the side has a concave reflective surface with a converging focus, aligning parallel light rays into a single focal point. Option b is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The properties of a lamp shaped like a parabola when viewed from the side relate to its ability to reflect and focus light.
A parabolic shape used in a lamp, or in mirrors and lenses, has a specific reflective property. If a lamp's shape is concave and parabolic, it will exhibit concave reflection and a converging focus.
This is because parabolic concave reflectors have the ability to focus incoming parallel light rays into a single focal point. By the law of reflection, parallel light rays hitting a parabolic concave surface will be reflected toward the focus, which results in a concentrated beam of light.
Furthermore, the correct answer to the student's question on the type of reflection and focusing properties exhibited by a lamp shaped as a parabola is Option B: Concave reflection and converging focus.