Numerical computation (the use of a computer to solve, simulate, or visualize a physical problem) has fundamentally changed the way scientific research is done. Systems that are too difficult to solve in closed form are probed using computation. Experiments that are impossible to perform in the laboratory are studied numerically. Consequently, in…

The website arXiv.org (pronounced "archive") is a free online resource for full-text articles in the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science, nonlinear science, and quantitative biology that has existed for about 15 years. Available directly at http://www.arXiv.org, this e-print archive is searchable. As of Jan. 3, 2007, arXiv had open…

A manufacturer of physics apparatus answers questions about new equipment production, features included, reliability, cost, and teacher modifications. (GS)

Listed are the 19 artificial elements and the meanings of the terms "natural" and "artificial" when applied to elements are discussed. Describes some commercial uses of each. (YP)

A judge for the physics projects for the 1979 International Science and Engineering Fair describes many of the more popular science projects. Projects described include the following: carbon dioxide and helium-neon lasers, reverse flame investigations, holography, construction of a magnetic bottle to confine plasma, and aerodynamic drag. (BT)

Describes the scientific work of several women, including Marie Curie, Lise Meitner, Ida Noddack, Irene Curie, Marguerite Perey, Chien-Shiung Wu, and Maria Mayer. Discusses the connections between their discoveries. Thirty-six references are listed. (YP)

Describes a technique for extracting a radioactive source from the atmosphere using a balloon, as a strategy to generate students' enthusiasm for and understanding of radioactivity experiments. (JRH)

Gives a brief biography of Homer L. Dodge the scientist, educator, and adventurer by looking at his diverse activities, interests, philosophy and accomplishments over a life span of over 90 years. (GA)

Offers encouragement and advice to physicists who might be asked to teach a college astronomy course for nonscience majors. (JRH)

Presents some experiences of a physics teacher in inventing apparatus, obtaining patents, starting a company, and going into production. (GS)

The difference in time between the emission and reception of light is called the "lookback" time. This article explores implications of lookback time and explains some of the puzzling questions posed by the scientific observation of cosmic history. Provides several pictures and diagrams. (YP)

Examines Drude's classical (1900) theory of electrical conduction, details the objections to and successes of the 1900 theory, and investigates the Quantum (1928) theory of conduction, reviewing its successes and limitations. (BT)

Describes the discovery and characteristics of superconductors. Discusses some experiments on the levitation of a magnet over a superconductor. (YP)

Describes the activities of the kNights of Physics, a group of preservice teachers, whose goal is to spread the knowledge of the fun of physics to elementary students and their parents. (JRH)

Describes the rationale, benefits, drawbacks, logistics, and student opinions regarding the idea of giving a two-minute quiz every lecture as a teaching reform that makes incremental changes, within the framework of the traditional lecture, in the direction of active learning. (JRH)