In order to support physics students in their future careers, there is a need to understand the relationship between undergraduate education and professional practice in physics-related fields. This study investigated high-level goal driven mathematical problem-solving activities that are found within two disciplinary cultures: physical science…

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…

Observing the relationship of general relativity and the geometry of space-time, the author questions whether the rest of physics has geometrical explanations. As a partial answer he discusses current research on subatomic particles employing geometric transformations, and cites the existence of geometrical definitions of physical quantities such…

Describes a variation of the familiar laboratory investigation on the spring and mass oscillator. (SK)

Some ways to link calculus instruction with the mathematical models used in physics courses are presented. The activity of modelling is presented as a major tool in synchronizing physics and mathematics instruction in undergraduate engineering programs. (MP)

Demonstrates that the number of kilometers of highway in the U.S. tends to grow exponentially and discusses what can be done to modify this growth. (MLH)

The author considers the selection of a baseball bat from a mathematical perspective. The effectiveness of a bat-slider system is specifically analyzed. Results are presented graphically to show the effects of the mass of the slider on the swing time and on the batted ball velocity. (PK)

Presents a reexamination of an intuitively geometric view of the nonrelativistic Pauli spinor in a simplified discussion of the connection between the rotation group and special transformations in the plane of projection. This view of the spinor is related to those based on the existence of an istropic or null vector. (SK)

Presents the theory of primary and secondary rainbow formation utilizing simple optics and geometric concepts. Describes an appropriate, waterless classroom demonstration and includes the relevant mathematical formulas and models. (JJK)

Since many texts use an incorrect argument in obtaining the instantaneous velocity of a rotating body, a correct and concise derivation of this quantity for a rather general case is given. (Author/SK)

Uses the problem of determining when a car and truck traveling at the same speed will collide after the truck has applied its brakes to illustrate the need to consider boundary conditions when solving problems in elementary mechanics. (MDH)

Modeling, simulation, and discrete mathematics have all been identified by professional mathematics education organizations as important areas for secondary school study. This classroom study focused on the components and tools for modeling and how students use these tools to construct their understanding of contextual problems in the content area…

Discussed is wavelet theory, which provides ways to rearrange data to reveal features of a physical or mathematical system which might otherwise be hidden. This theory is compared to fourier analysis and the advantages of wavelet theory are stressed. Applications of this technique are suggested. (CW)

Models of the motion of an object through space are discussed. The material begins with the simplest view possible in which gravity is the only force examined. Discussion progresses to an examination of the drag force, which is the resistive air force of the wind. Suggestions for further improvements are made at the conclusion of the presentation.…