This article describes the distribution of mass in a hand-held object as a fundamental but unrecognized contributor to the sensation one receives from the object. Experiments producing fractions for human sensitivity are given. (SA)

Discusses electric and magnetic forces between parallel-wire conductors and derives, in a simple fashion, order of magnitude estimates of the ratio of the likely electrostatic and electromagnetic forces for a simple parallel-wire balance. (Author/HM)

Describes a nineteenth century paper by Reynolds on his experiments with the tension that a column of liquid could sustain, and compares Reynolds work with some of the other related work published in French journals at that time. (GA)

Discusses different approaches to the teaching of electrical resistance as presented by different authors of physics textbooks. Evaluates, compares, and expresses personal preferences for certain approaches. (GA)

Explains interference colors in thin films as being due to the removal, or considerable reduction, of a certain color by destructive inteference that results in the complementary color being seen. (GA)

An experiment is presented which utilizes the current solid state technology to demonstrate electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas, direct generation of electricity for pumping water, and energy conversion efficiency. The experimental module costs about $100 and can be used repeatedly. (BB)

The preparation of eight heterocyclic compounds is described. These syntheses each take three or four hours and are suitable for undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories. (BB)

This undergraduate experiment demonstrates the effect of temperature on the rate of hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside. (BB)

An experiment is described which provides a simple example of the application of the Wittig reaction to the synthesis of unsaturated compounds. The experiment was designed with British HNC chemistry students in mind, but it is also suitable as a project-type exercise for final year GCE A-level students. (Author/BB)

Gives an explanation to the process of charging the conventional leaf electroscope, by induction, using a charged insulated rod. (GA)

The design and use of an instrument simulator is described. Used for student laboratory experiments illustrating the use of mini-computers, it can provide, at very low cost, a repetitive, repeatable output to duplicate the readout of various instruments such as electrochemical experiments, mass spectrometers, pulsed magnetic experiments,…

The bonding of dioxygen in metal-dioxygen complexes is discussed, paying particular attention to the problems encountered in assigning conventional oxidation numbers to both the metal center and coordinated dioxygen. Complexes of iron, cobalt, chromium, and manganese are considered. (BB)

A new, small magnetic susceptibility system is described which can be constructed from commercially available components for less than one hundred dollars for use with a standard laboratory balance. (BB)

A lecture demonstration is presented for comparing titration curves. A plot of pH vs volume of strong base is produced by connecting the external output of a pH meter to a strip recorder. Thus, pH is recorded as a function of time. (BB)

In this experiment, students prepare, isolate, and characterize two geometrical isomers of a metal coordination compound. This experiment provides a good introduction to the techniques of modern coordination chemistry. (BB)