Students become deeply involved in physics classes when spectacular demonstrations take over from abstract and formal presentations. In this paper we propose a simple experimental setup in which the wave behavior of light can be made spectacularly evident along the whole path of the light beam in a practically unlimited number of configurations.…

I have been tinkering with ultrasonic transducers once more. In earlier notes I reported on optics-like experiments performed with ultrasonics, described a number of ultrasonic interferometers, and showed how ultrasonic transducers can be used for Fourier analysis. This time I became interested in trying the technique of using two detectors in…

"The 2006 Winter Meeting of the AAPT Was Over..."and the flight home from Anchorage to Cleveland was just about to end--eight hours in the air, only two complimentary beverages, no meals, a jump across four time zones, a one-year-old baby daughter, and a wife whose motto for the week was, "Why did they choose to have a winter meeting in Alaska?"…

A magnet suspended in a uniform magnetic field like that of the Earth can be made to oscillate about the field. The frequency of oscillation depends on the strength (magnetic moment) of the magnet, that of the external field, and the moment of inertia of the magnet. It is easily shown and verified by experiment that a simple but nontrivial…

In this paper, an experimental set-up which differs from the traditional ones is established in order to determine the moment of inertia of a right circular cone. Its angular variation and inertia ellipsoid are determined by means of an experimental study. In addition, a system that allows for the evaluation of the angular acceleration and torque…

Several valerian-containing products sold in pharmacies were evaluated to verify the presence of Valeriana officinalis by identifying the presence of valerenic acid found only in species of Valeriana. The content of valerenic acid was found to vary considerably in the products analyzed, thus emphasizing the importance of standardizing herbal…

In this general chemistry laboratory, flame emission spectrometry is used to determine the potassium ion concentration in saturated solutions of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) in the 0-65 [degree]C temperature range. From these data the solubility products (K[subscript sp]), the Gibbs free energies of solution ([Delta][subscript…

Einstein's famous equation E = mc[superscript 2] is derived by utilizing a thought experiment that can be easily understood by any serious student of chemistry. (Contains 3 figures and 2 notes.)

Explores the selection, source, funding, time constraints, and community support involved in developing carefully planned and executed science projects. Lists 21 kinetics experiments noting the instrumentation needed and the original references. (MVL)

The series of three sets of companion studies reported in this presentation addresses the need for seeking more effective outcomes from science laboratory experiences, which is indicated by conflicting outcomes of earlier reported research related to laboratory instruction at two different academic levels--grades 7-12 and beginning college. Four…

Describes a general chemistry level kinetics experiment requiring three 3-hour laboratory periods. Data analyses can be accomplished with graphical techniques or a non-linear least squares computer program. (MLH)

Describes an experiment in which general and physical chemistry students can determine the heat of vaporization of a volatile substance from experimental laboratory data using timesharing techniques. (MLH)

A reaction kinetics experiment for the chemical engineering undergraduate laboratory course was developed in which in-situ Fourier Transfer Infrared spectroscopy was used to measure reactant and product concentrations. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of acetic anhydride was determined by experiments carried out in a batch reactor. The results…

Describes a number of activities designed to assist student understanding of the phenomenon of light bending when it passes from one meduim to another. (JR)

Describes the sturcture and asexual reproduction of the fungus Pilobolus and outlines a number of experiments with this organism that are suitable for secondary school biology students. (JR)