Numerical simulations are playing an increasingly important role in modern science. In this work it is suggested to use a numerical study of the famous perihelion motion of the planet Mercury (one of the prime observables supporting Einsteins general relativity) as a test case to teach numerical simulations to high school students. The paper…

A university lecturer comments on the importance of adequate detail and individual interpretations of items in the core syllabus for A-level physics presented in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education." Suggests that the syllabus fails in containing all essential elementary ideas necessary to master advanced concepts. (SK)