Discusses various aspects of fly casting to illuminate the physics of fishing. They include examining whether the bending of the rod propels the fly as a bow propels an arrow and determining how an angler resists the pull of a hooked fish while reeling it in. (JN)

Discusses how to stop a spinning object (such as rotating fan blades) by humming and the perception of curious blue arcs around a light. Background information, relevant research, and activities related to these two topics are provided. (JN)

Examines issues regarding the defensibility and utility of natural selection as a scientific theory, focusing on the process of population change over time. Topics considered include criticisms of Darwinian theory, tautology and the meaning of fitness, the ability of theories to predict and explain, and the sufficiency of natural selection. (DH)

Reports recent findings related to the particle Higgs boson and examines its possible contribution to the standard mode of elementary processes. Critically explores the strengths and uncertainties of the Higgs boson and proposed Higgs field. (ML)

Teachers and students alike report difficulties with the measurement unit called mole. This article tries to demonstrate that mole and the corresponding quantity are not exceptional. Mole lacks the context of a given amount because the unit measures the relative number of atoms compared with those present in a standard. Discusses history of…

Discusses a number of significant persons and ideas in the European development of notions relating to faunal succession. Major focus is on the 17th through the 19th centuries, from the onset of rational investigations of the earth to definition of the stratigraphic zone. (JN)

Lavoisier showed that water was formed by chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. In Lavoisier's "Traite Elementaire" of 1789, he states that the reaction to form water requires exactly two volumes of hydrogen gas to react completely with one volume of oxygen gas. This was 20 years before Gay-Lussac studied the reactions between…

Presents information on the properties and largest spirals of the Local Group galaxies. Explains the three categories of galaxies, identifies the brightest members of the Local Group, and discusses recent discoveries within the group. (ML)

Explains the principles of the science of motion and examines Thomas Kane's deductive approach to the study of dynamics. Also recounts Kane's advances in explaining classic mechanics and discusses the advantages of his methods in the formulation of equations of motion and in applications to space technology. (ML)

Focuses on the relationship between loudness and intensity of sounds. (Author/PVD)

Focuses on the concepts of pitch and timbre of sounds. (PVD)

Discusses the role and value of scaffolding student discussions in advancing students' ability to coconstruct theories and models from data they have collected while investigating floating and sinking. (Author/CCM)

The relationship between the Bible and modern astronomy has been complicated and often turbulent. Many scientists would argue that for modern astronomy to be born, biblical cosmology had to die. Article includes a history of the church/science relationship, a primer in biblical cosmologies, and a discussion of some philosophical problems behind…

Reviews recent findings related to Miranda, the icy satellite of Uranus. Includes Voyager photographs, computer-generated mosaics, and maps as well as interpretations of the illustrations. (ML)

For most students textbooks are the main source of their information about scientific concepts; however, there are a number of errors which frequently appear in textbooks and are consequently transmitted to both teachers and students. Some of these errors which may represent widespread misconceptions of teachers are outlined. (Author)