Discusses the use of games for teaching introductory physics. The elements of game design are reviewed, and sevel examples are described that illustrate different varieties of teaching games suitable for use by beginning physics students. Bibliography. (LC)

An adventure-type computer game in which treasure can be acquired by solving problems in ray optics is described. The program is shorter than most adventures and is designed to run in a 16-K Commodore PET microcomputer with tape cassette input. Program and documentation are available at cost from the author. (Author/JN)

Discusses why interference effects cannot be seen with a thick film, starting with a review of the origin of interference patterns in thin films. Considers properties of materials in films, properties of the light source, and the nature of light. (JN)

Describes a method of staining that makes details clear and dispenses with the time-consuming use of chemicals. The Rheinberg differential color illumination, (or optical staining) is strikingly beautiful and is especially useful with living or nonliving unstained, transparent specimens. Color photographs of sample specimens are included.…

Describes the discovery, physical properties, and future applications of liquid crystals. (SK)

Describes a semi-automatic viscometer which incorporates a microprocessor system and uses optoelectronics to detect flow of liquid through the capillary, flow time being displayed on a timer with accuracy of 0.01 second. The system could be made fully automatic with an additional microprocessor circuit and inclusion of a pump. (Author/JN)

Describes a 3.33-cm wavelength (9 GHz) microwave system that achieves a high overall signal sensitivity and a well-collimated beam with moderate-size equipment. The system has been used to develop microwave versions of the Michelson interferometer, Bragg reflector, Brewster's law and total internal reflection, and Young's interference experiment.…

Describes experiments and apparatus to: (1) allow astronomy students to test resolution limit of their eyes at several wavelengths; (2) analyze laser mode phases by interferometry; (3) demonstrate a Cartesian diver with an overhead projector; and (4) generate conical beams of light for smoke-chamber demonstrations. (JN)

Derives a familiar torque-angular momentum theorem for the electromagnetic field, and includes the intrinsic torques exerted by the fields on the polarized medium. This inclusion leads to the expressions for the intrinsic angular momentum carried by the radiation traveling through a charge-free medium. (Author/MA)

Explains why failure to distinguish clearly between three concepts: a vector, its components, and its representatives, renders understanding of how the representations of the rotation group are constructed from products of the spin-half representation, difficult to comprehend. (Author/GA)

Discusses the lateral magnification-angular magnification relationship in the case of a simple magnifying lens. This discussion intends to show how the relationship can be treated in undergraduate optics courses as well as in many general physics courses. (HM)

Describes an experiment which makes use of a number of concepts from geometrical optics. The apparatus and method which is intended for students in elementary college physics classes are included. (HM)

Discusses the applications of thin films in energy, optics and electronics. The use of thin-film technologies for heat mirrors, anti-reflection coatings, interference filters, solar cells, and metal contacts is included. (HM)