Discusses various aspects of sea water, including: (1) the properties of sea water, (2) the law of relative proportions, (3) the ocean as a buffer, (4) the oxygen in sea water, and (5) the promise of chemical harvest from sea water. (CS)

Presents results of a study suggesting that prior mathematical ability is a primary influence on performance in an introductory, preprofessional physics course and that it has a secondary influence on the tendency of college students to drop out of the course. (CS)

Determined the effect of computer assisted instruction (CAI) materials on college students' attitudes toward computers and chemistry. Includes the finding that the attitude of women toward computers was improved by using CAI.

Presents arguments against the recent "punctuated equilibrium" point of view expressed by evolutionists Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge. Reviews evidence for continuous and gradual change, as recently cited by four anthropologists in the July 9 issue of "Nature." (CS)

Reports results of a survey on the treatment of industrial organic chemistry in 12 current textbooks. Suggests that the topic be integrated into the overall coverage of course material. (JN)

Presents listings of selected reference materials relevant to symmetry and group theory in college physics and chemistry. Entries are classified according to a scheme involving 34 subject areas divided into four major groups. Comments on these materials and suggestions for future topics will be welcomed. (Author/SK)

Describes solution spectrophotometry as a simple, rapid identification technique for organic paint pigments. Reports research which includes analytical schemes for the extraction and separation of organic pigments based on their solubilities, and the preparation of an extensive reference collection of spectral curves allowing their identification.…

Presents an experiment on the bending of light in a medium with a continuously varying index of refraction. Several theoretical approaches for the analysis of this experiment, designed for college physics students, are also presented. (HM)

Describes an advanced undergraduate physics experiment which permits the measurement of ultrasound velocity and absorption in liquid systems. A description of the tasks the student is expected to perform is also included. (HM)

Discusses a demonstration in which the near and far focusing distances of a student volunteer are measured and his or her glasses prescription is computed. (HM)

Describes a demonstration in which the local inertial frame of reference can be obtained in the laboratory by allowing a cage to fall freely without rotation under the influence of gravity. (HM)

Reports that a conference for professional chemists, educators in chemistry, and students was held to explore the issue of teaching chemistry to handicapped students. The ideas generated from the participants are intended to be used in preparing a manual of guidelines. (Author/SA)

Reports on the evolution, since 1945, of the woman's role in science and technology in the Central European nation of Hungary. The report is presented by nine women who are scientists and engineers. (SA)

Describes a laboratory scale reactor that determines the kinetics of a gas-solid catalytic reaction. The external recycle reactor construction is detailed with accompanying diagrams. Experimental details, application of the reactor to CO oxidation kinetics, interphase gradients, and intraphase gradients are discussed. (CS)

Described is science content within an interdisciplinary core curriculum at the New School of Liberal Arts, Brooklyn College. The first two years of undergraduate work consist of art, literature, history, and science within a choice of five time periods. Also offered is a science and humanities course. (DS)