At first almost ignored and unread, Sadi Carnot's analysis of heat engines--published 150 years ago--contained ideas and methods that were developed later by Clausius and Thomson. Carnot's ideas and their influence on later science are discussed. (Author/RH)

Discusses how physics draws upon and adds to other disciplines. Presents five reasons why physics is important and relevant to the present. (DS)

Traces the development of electrical engineering (EE) from its roots of academic physics in the 1890s to a discipline with its own priorities and departmental structure. Includes a description of the first EE course offered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). (JN)

Describes the development, major accomplishments, and current programs of the American Institute of Physics. (JN)

Proposes changes in correcting the distorted image that many students have of science. Teachers should communicate some of the excitement, beauty, and uncertainty of the subject. Identified three styles of teaching changes: remove harshness and sterility, emphasize verb sense (dynamics) of science, and reduce quantity of material presented to…

Celebrates the centennial of Einstein's birth with an eight-page pictorial biography and two special articles: (1) Einstein the catalyst; and (2) Unitary field theories. His special and general theories of relativity and his contributions to quantum physics and other topics are also presented. (HM)

This historical survey describes the contributions made to the field of physics by the National Bureau of Standards since its inception in 1901. Four broad areas are emphasized: nuclear physics, thermal physics (including cryogenics), spectroscopy and fundamental constants. (BT)

Traces the development of basic radiation physics that underlies much of today's medical physics and looks separately at the historical development of two major subfields of medical physics: radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Indicates that radiation physics has made important contributions to solving biomedical problems in medical…

Discusses advances in optics research including the role of lasers and high-speed computers, image processing, medical imagery, and classical optics. (JN)

Reviews the debate between physicists Compton and Millikan over cosmic radiation in the 1930's and the resultant social repercussions against science. (SL)

Discusses four periods of development in American physics during the last two hundred years and the discoveries and research of both Benjamin Franklin and Henry Rowland. (MLH)

This translation of a lecture given in Kyoto (Japan) on 14 December l922 sheds light on Einstein's path to the theory of relativity and offers insights into many other aspects of his work on relativity. (Author/JN)

Surveys 50 years of acoustical studies by discussing selected topics including the ear, nonlinear representations, underwater sound, acoustical diagnostics, absorption, electrolytes, phonons, magnetic interaction, and superfluidity and the five sounds. (JN)