Cites the rewards as well as the responsibilities of physics teaching in secondary schools. Pleads that more physics students train for the teaching profession, noting the scarcity and lack of training of many currently in the field. (CP)

Provides descriptions of physics departments of universities, colleges, and polytechnics in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For each institution, entry requirements, course structure, and main branches of research are included among information provided. (CP)

Provides descriptions of physics departments of universities, colleges, and polytechnics in Scotland. For each institution, entry requirements, course structure, and main branches of research are included among information provided. (CP)

Discusses the importance of the mole concept in teaching elementary chemical theory. (SL)

An examination of factors responsible for the low percentage of pupils continuing from 0-level to A-level physics is presented. Includes students' comments on instructional procedures and the curriculum covered. (CP)

A teacher of gifted students used various resources, including videotapes, computer programs, toys, and handouts to teach gifted students about principles of mechanics during a summer program. (CB)

Draws a distinction between the terms "heat and work" and "energy" in terms of the teaching of thermodynamics. Gives examples using enthalpy and constant pressure processes, free energy and spontaneity, and free energy and available mechanical energy. Concludes that there is no thermodynamic role for the terms "heat"…

Presented are the materials and a procedure for demonstrating the levitation of a magnet above a superconducting material. The demonstration can be projected with an overhead projector for a large group of students. Kits to simplify the demonstration can be purchased from the Institute for Chemical Education of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.…

This experiment/demonstration provides elementary through high school science students with hands-on experience with polymer entropy. Construction of a simple machine for converting light into mechanical energy is described. (RH)

Describes a physics experiment which demonstrates the pitfalls of assuming that a model which represents an ideal system is applicable to a real experiment. Explains how the failure may give greater understanding of the problem and may lead to improvements in the model. (ML)

Reviews the potential of a data acquisition system for illustrating the nature and significance of ideas in digital signal processing. Focuses on the fast Fourier transform and the utility of its two-channel format, emphasizing cross-correlation and its two-microphone technique of acoustic intensity measurement. Includes programing format. (ML)

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)

Provides a reproducible flow chart to aid students in problem-solving skill development. Steps include: determining what is asked; choosing a relationship; and checking validity of the relationship. Teacher notes are given to improve instruction. (DH)

Describes two contests in which students: (1) build bridges from balsa wood; or (2) construct whizzers (self-contained motorized devices for movement on tight steel wires). Testing situations and guidelines for these contests are included. Points out that physics enrollments have increased as a result of the contests. (DH)

Discusses an easy way of interfacing physics experiments to a microcomputer, providing information on the "analog input port" of a BBC microcomputer. Also describes a capacitor discharge experiment with suggestions for several student activities such as investigating decay curve shapes. Program listing is available from author. (DH)