Reviews software package for college advanced high school physics. The package, for Apple microcomputers, contains programs instructing students on how to analyze motion of objects under a variety of circumstances. Programs include graphing motion, one-dimensional kinematics, gravity problems, projectile, dynamics (general method), motion on…

Reviews EduTech mechanic simulations of vertical fall with/without air resistance, hunter-monkey paradox, planetary motion for Apple II. The self-contained programs are designed for teacher use during demonstrations or as supplementary tutorial material. Indicates simulations are well done/useful but too much unnecessary (although informative)…

Describes a first-year laboratory course designed to fulfill laboratory objectives of reinforcing lecture material, teaching experimental methodology, developing hands-on skills, and imparting a sense of error. The course's six segments examine: digital electronics with students building a photogate timer; error analysis; linear accelerated…

Describes apparatus and method used to allow rapid and repeated measurement of acceleration of a ball rolling down an inclined plane. Acceleration measurements can be performed in an hour with the apparatus interfaced to a Commodore PET microcomputer. A copy of the BASIC program is available from the authors. (Author/JN)

Presents an experiment that measures the acceleration and velocity of a model rocket. Lift-off information is transmitted to a computer that creates a graph of the velocity. Discusses the analysis of the computer-generated data and differences between calculated and experimental velocity and acceleration of several rocket types. (MDH)

Reviews "Laws of Motion" computer program produced by Educational Materials and Equipment Company. The program (language unknown), for Apple II/II+, is a simulation of an inclined plane, free fall, and Atwood machine in Newtonian/Aristotelian worlds. Suggests use as supplement to discussion of motion by teacher who fully understands the…

A PET microcomputer is used as an accurate and programmable timer to support data acquisition from velocity experiments covering falling, rolling, and sliding objects, and human velocity, acceleration, and power measurements. The inexpensive instrumentation is simple and easy to use and compares favorably with conventional, more expensive…

Provided is a review of a high school/college level computer program (for Apple microcomputers) which consists of six simulations designed to introduce students to simple harmonic motion. Includes a discussion of the six simulations and such information as time needed, probable classroom use, source, and current cost. (JM)

Studies the simple dynamical system of the pendulum and the chaotic behavior that occurs when the pendulum is both damped and driven. Provides an algorithm and BASIC program for the numerical solution to the differential equations encountered in the discussion. (MDH)

Reviews "Scatter," a software package consisting of three programs designed to help students "see" results of particle scattering and representative concepts difficult to show in introductory laboratories. Includes source, equipment needed, physics level, time involvement, interaction, and nature of programs. Recommends only…

"Planetary Motion Simulations" is a system of programs designed for students to observe motions of a superior planet (one whose orbit lies outside the orbit of the earth). Programs run on the Apple II microcomputer and employ high-resolution graphics to present the motions of Saturn. (Author/JN)

Reviews software package consisting of three programs designed to give students practice on V=IR calculations for series, parallel, and network electric circuits. Indicates that the package for Apple II microcomputers is very good for individual practice and that graphics are useful in teaching students how to draw circuits. (JN)

An adventure-type computer game in which treasure can be acquired by solving problems in ray optics is described. The program is shorter than most adventures and is designed to run in a 16-K Commodore PET microcomputer with tape cassette input. Program and documentation are available at cost from the author. (Author/JN)

Various microcomputer-generated astronomy graphs are presented, including those of constellations and planetary motions. Graphs were produced on a computer-driver plotter and then reproduced for class use. Copies of the programs that produced the graphs are available from the author. (Author/JN)

Describes an apparatus that uses a microcomputer as a timing device in which the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) is measured. Diagrams of a circuit for timing measurements and a flow chart of a program that measures COR are provided. A list of COR for some common objects is also included. (CS)