Describes a college-level physics course which focuses on both physics knowledge/skills and use of microcomputers. Types of experiments done with the computers and how students use the computers to treat data are considered. (JN)

Discusses an easy way of interfacing physics experiments to a microcomputer, providing information on the "analog input port" of a BBC microcomputer. Also describes a capacitor discharge experiment with suggestions for several student activities such as investigating decay curve shapes. Program listing is available from author. (DH)

Microcomputers can record laboratory measurements which human laboratory partners can never collect. Simple, harder, and general-purpose interfaces are discussed, with suggestions for several experiments involving an exercise bike, acceleration, and pendulums. Additional applications with pH meters, spectrophotometers, and chromatographs are also…

Describes a two-term course in electronic instrumentation for chemistry and physics students. The first term focuses on analog circuits and the measurement of voltage, current, and impendance. The second-term course focuses on digital pulses/logic, microcomputer organization, and assembly language programing and interfacing to experiments. (JN)

The joint winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the American Physical Society (APS) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, January 27-30, 1986. Abstracts of papers presented at the meeting and the complete program are provided. An author index is appended. (JN)

The use of a microcomputer as the basis of a multichannel analyzer (MCA) system is described. Principles of microcomputer MCA, choice of microcomputer, input-output port, data display, MCA program, and interrupt routine (with flowchart) are the topic areas considered. (JN)

The Rockwell AIM 65 is recommended for use in physics laboratories. Among advantages cited are that the basic board can be purchased customized; for example, it can be purchased with or without a printer, power supply, extra memory, and other items. In addition, the computer is basically designed to control equipment and take data from peripheral…

Presents abstracts of selected papers dealing with: (1) enhancing computer skills of Brazilian science teachers; (2) course integration; (3) evaluating student performance using microcomputers; (4) a computer-assisted reading and mathematics program; (5) an interactive computer graphics system for teaching geometry, and (6) computer dialogs for…

Suggests that students can learn the physics of a musical note by learning how to synthesize sounds on a computer. Discusses ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, and release of a note) and includes a program (with listing) which students can use to examine ADSR on a Commodore 64 microcomputer. (JN)

Described is the use of an interactive terminal-oriented computing system that has access to files of thermodynamics data. (Author/SA)

Procedures for displaying computer-generated text and graphics to a large audience are inexpensive when a Fresnel-mirror projector is used. Although small liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) can be easily projected, large LCDs require some modification (which is described). Other devices with LCD displays (oscilloscopes, televisions, and pulse-height…

Describes a microcomputer-based, multichannel digital data acquisition system for acoustic signals. Hardware and software considerations are included. (JN)

Describes (1) an inexpensive photogate, (2) one use for a "dead" ammeter, (3) photogate addition for visual and audio signal, and (4) a photogate housing constructed from a plastic water pipe. (JN)

Suggests a microcomputer/mastery-learning combination for more effective use of teacher time and management of records, tests, grading, and student directions. Mastery learning is discussed along with the many advantages microcomputers can provide toward this goal. (DH)

Describes an undergraduate laboratory experiment in which a moving coil galvanometer is studied and the electromotive force generated by the swinging coil provides the impulse response information in a form suitable for digitizing and inputing to a microcomputer. Background information and analysis of typical data are included. (JN)