Two philosophical ideas motivate this paper. The first is an answer to the question of what is an appropriate activity for a physicist. My answer is that an appropriate activity is anything where the tools of a physicist enable him or her to make a contribution to the solution of a significant problem. This may be obvious in areas that overlap…

A 100 years-old formula that was given by J. J. Thomson recently found numerous applications in computational electrostatics and electromagnetics. Thomson himself never gave a proof for the formula; but a proof based on Differential Geometry was suggested by Jackson and later published by Pappas. Unfortunately, Differential Geometry, being a…

Although breathing is a universal activity among physicists (and others), few have bothered to estimate the number of molecules inhaled in a single average breath. Some simple calculations and comparisons related to this phenomenon are provided to improve students' appreciation of the awesome numbers related to Avogadro's number. (JN)

Proposes a method for solving a diffusion equation by a random-walk approximation technique which utilizes the complex intergration method of steepest descent. (SL)

Examples are presented of the use of the direct product in chemical group theory. (BB)

The dynamics of some common sports, such as race walking, running, cycling, jumping, and throwing, are presented. Rough estimates of the relevant physical quantities required for these individual sports are discussed. General mathematical formulas are derived which can be used for judging the performance of any athlete. (Author/KR)

Presents methods for estimating running speed, length of a broad-jump, height of a pole vault, and time to run up a flight of steps as examples of elementary numerical mechanics. (SL)

Presents a method of reviewing the properties of exponents for students enrolled in a liberal arts physics course. (SL)

The simple physics behind the mechanism of the toy are explained. Experimental and mathematical steps are given that help in understanding the motion of the doll-pair. The geometry of the setup is described. (KR)

Presented are problems that teachers can use to stimulate students' thinking about the subject of mathematical scaling. Food and eating examples are used to illustrate this concept. (CW)

Discusses the geometry, algebra, and logic involved in the solution of a "Mindbenders" problem in "Discover" magazine and applies it to calculations of satellite orbital velocity. Extends the solution of this probe to other applications of falling objects. (JM)

Solutions for a problem in which the time necessary for an object to fall into the sun from the average distance from the earth to the sun are presented. Both calculus- and noncalculus-based solutions are presented. A sample computer solution is included. (CW)

Presented are two cases of simple geometrical calculations involving the large numbers of atoms that are encountered in two ordinary situations. Included are questions about the spatial implications of the genome and a mole of hydrogen. (CW)

Develops the idea of fractals through a laboratory activity that calculates the fractal dimension of ordinary white bread. Extends use of the fractal dimension to compare other complex structures as other breads and sponges. (MDH)

Describes an optional course in "computational physics" offered at the University of Birmingham. Includes an introduction to numerical methods and presents exercises involving fast-Fourier transforms, non-linear least-squares, Monte Carlo methods, and the three-body problem. Recommends adding laboratory work into the course in the…