Discussed are the applications of counting techniques of a sorting game to distributions and concepts in statistical mechanics. Included are the following distributions: Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein, and most probable. (RH)

Presents a simple classical method of describing spin resonance in terms of average power absorbed. (SL)

Describes a technique for bypassing complications in finding the energy eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of a charged (spinless) particle in a uniform magnetic field. (SL)

Presents an alternative approach for deriving the perturbation formulas for the energy in quantum mechanics. The procedure focuses on the solution of the secular equation D(E)=O, and then derives the first-, second-, and third-order formulas by the same method. (GA)

States and proves some useful identities in normal ordering. The identities can be very useful in ordinary quantum-mechanicaland many-body problems. (Author/GA)

Gives an explicit and elementary proof that the radial energy eigenfunctions for the hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics, bound and scattering states included, form a complete set. The proof uses some properties of the confluent hypergeometric functions and the Cauchy residue theorem from analytic function theory. (Author/GA)

There were no differences in the understanding of physical optics and ability to solve physical optics problems after instruction or on a delayed test between students with or without prior instruction in wave motion. (AL)

Formulas are derived for the energy, momentum, and angular momentum transmitted by waves of arbitrary shape in an inextensible string by pure transverse waves in a string using Tait's procedure. (Author/CP)

The characteristic features of the Maxwell-Botzmann energy distribution function and its variation with temperature are demonstrated using visual displays and simple counting techniques. (DT)

States that the major problem in learning quantum mechanics is often the student's ignorance of classical mechanics and that one conceptual hurdle in quantum mechanics is its statistical nature, in contrast to the determinism of classical mechanics. (MLH)

Demonstrates that when a system of attracting or repelling bodies is bound, its rest mass will generally be different than the sum of the rest masses of the individual bodies. The mass excess or defect is simply related to the stored potential energy of the system. (Author/MLH)

Describes an undergraduate laboratory experiment on the statistical theory of nuclear reactions. The experiment involves measuring the relative cross sections for formation of a nucleus in its meta stable excited state and its ground state by applying gamma-ray spectroscopy to an irradiated sample. Involves 3-4 hours of laboratory time plus…