Describes and explains some aspects of the motion of a top, the extreme end of which is made round, spinning on surfaces provided with friction. (Author/GA)

Describes experiments simulating the mechanics of the human elbow and back. (SL)

Describes an introductory physics experiment concerned with scattering particles off various force centers. The experiment uses simulation techniques and a computer. The scattering is classical, and the student examines plots of computed particle trajectories. The results illustrate the concepts of differential corss-section, total cross-section,…

Derives the precessional period of a Foucault pendulum without using small oscillation amplitudes. Shows that if the path of the pendulum passes through the origin, the periods for differing amplitudes are essentially the same. (GA)

Explains a projectile motion experiment involving a bow and arrow. Procedures to measure "muzzle" velocity, bow elastic potential energy, range, flight time, wind resistance, and masses are considered. (DH)

Presents the theoretical explanation of the observation that when a pen that is stuck in a hard rubber ball and dropped, the pen may bounce to several times the dropped height. Includes the procedure and models created to explain the observations. (DS)

Provides a technique for the determination of the mass of a large, movable object. (CP)

Students' cars and wristwatches are used as "apparatus" to introduce and demonstrate Newton's second law of motion. Forces acting on cars are discussed and typical student data (for different makes of cars) are provided. Data could also be used in discussions of work, horsepower, efficiency, and energy cost. (JN)

Offers a relatively simple analysis of the asymmetrical "sticking" and rolling behavior of two balls, one steel and one rubber, on an incline. Describes an Interactive Physics (TM) simulation designed to study the problem and gives rough experimental results. (WRM)

Recommends an experiment which will help students experience the physical evidence that floors, tables, and walls actually bend when pressure is exerted against them. Set-up includes: laser, radio, solar cell, and wall-mounted mirror. When the beam is moved by pressure on the wall, participants can "hear the wall bend." (DH)

Describes modifications to an apparatus for measuring the force of an object in circular motion. Explains how to accurately measure rotation rate with the use of a motion detector. (WRM)

Outlines a simple method which shows the relation between work done in accelerating a mass and the resulting velocity of the mass. Equipment used includes a rubber ball, ramp of lumber, graph-chart, stopwatch, and hand calculator. (DH)

Discusses the problem of ellipticity in the motion of the ordinary Foucault pendulum and the error caused by it. Presents a simple method of slightly modifying the force-displacement relation in such a way that precession does not result from ellipticity. (Author/SK)

Describes, using "nonorthogonal" displacement functions, the normal-mode motions of a massive particle and a spring of non-negligible mass to whose end the particle is attached. The results lead to the complete solution for the general motion of the spring-plus-particle system. Shows that the presence/absence of gravity is irrelevant to the…

Describes the rebuilding of a Project Physics fan cart on a PASCO dynamics cart chassis for achieving greatly reduced frictional forces. Suggests four experiments for the rebuilt cart: (1) acceleration on a level track, (2) initial negative velocity, (3) different masses and different forces, and (4) inclines. (MVL)