Explains the mechanisms and describes the processes that underlie gravitropism in roots. Reviews experimental efforts and investigative results that explored the causes of root behavior. (ML)

Examines research related to the retina's coding of visual input with emphasis on the organization of two kinds of ganglion cell receptive fields. Reviews current techniques for examining the shapes and arrangement in the retina of entire populations of nerve cells. (ML)

Summarizes steps involved in a systematic method for balancing redox equations by inspection. (CS)

Discusses the concept of equilibrium in chemical systems, particularly in relation to predicting the position of equilibrium, predicting spontaneity of a reaction, quantitative applications of the equilibrium constant, heterogeneous equilibrium, determination of the solubility product constant, common-ion effect, and dissolution of precipitates.…

Discusses how the discovery of chaos has created a new paradigm in scientific modeling and how findings are contributing to changes in thought about many different branches of science. Includes explanations and examples of how chaotic behavior can be understood. (ML)

This book presents the facts, history, names, and dates behind 1,250 major accomplishments in science and technology. Each topic is covered in understandable paragraphs of 150 to 600 words and is intended for students, librarians, science instructors, and the general public. Four indexes provide access to the entries by year, name of discoverer or…

Reviews basic information on the Chemistry of strontium and its compounds. Explains biological aspects of strontium and its pharmaceutical applications. Highlights industrial application of strontium and its components. (ML)

Provides background material which relates to the concept of activation energy, fundamental in the study of chemical kinetics. Compares the related concepts of the Arrhenius activation energy, the activation energy at absolute zero, the enthalpy of activation, and the threshold energy. (CS)

Presents selected information regarding the descriptive chemistry of the common metal ions and their compounds, including the concepts of process of solution, polar molecules, ionic size and charge, complex ions, coordination number, and the Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory. (CS)

Discusses a common error found in organic chemistry textbooks regarding the phenomenon of "conjugate reduction." Provides a table of experimental data involving the reduction of alpha-, beta-unsaturated compounds. An accompanying discussion explains reasons for the lack of correspondence between textbook information and the experimental…

Reviews the career and accomplishments of the physicist Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac, including a discussion of scientific concepts associated with Dirac. (JN)

This book shows how physics relates to daily life. Chapters included are: (1) "Physics of Fun" (dealing with the concepts of friction, Bernoulli's principle, lift, buoyancy, adhesion, cohesion, surface tension, gas expansion, waves, light, mirror images, and solar cells); (2) "Physics of Nature" (illustrating the concepts of inertia, static…

Explains the structural organization of DNA by providing information on the primary, secondary, tertiary, and higher organization levels of the molecule. Also includes illustrations and descriptions of sign-inversion and rotating models for supercoiling of DNA. (ML)

In this article, constructivism is examined as an epistemological basis for school science and mathematics instruction. The nature and process of constructing scientific and mathematical knowledge in school settings is also considered. A distinction is made between truth and feasibility, and the implications for science education are discussed.…

Many chemists want to be effective teachers but have little background in psychology or education on which to build successful practices. The primary audience for this book is chemistry teachers at the secondary and tertiary levels, and its purpose is to encourage readers to construct a new understanding of how their students learn. This book is…