Examines (in the form of a hypothetical dialog between a teacher and a student) the nature of the mantle and the spectral content of the glow which lights up both beam and mantle. These phenomena are associated with excitation of helium gas in the presence of electromagnetic and electrostatic fields. (JN)

Discusses motions of the sun and earth in relation to the accuracy of clocks. Effect of eccentricity of the earth's orbit, efect of inclination of the earth's axis, and combination of these two effects are considered. The accuracy of sundials is also discussed. (DH)

Describes a laboratory activity which provides practical experience in wiring an electrical circuit with line voltage and everyday components. Students use wooden frames, bulbs, wire, fuses, and switches to test their wiring skills. (DH)

Discusses issues related to examination questions which begin by asking students to "Describe an experiment to..." Indicates that this strategy is useful when focusing on important quantities/phenomena or "celebrated" experiments and that examining boards should not request students to describe experiments which verify or…

Presents (1) a computer program which combines three readability formulas; (2) an investigation on the comparability of A-level physics grades; and (3) a study in specialized work experience. (JN)

Content, readability, safety aspects, appearance, technique, effectiveness of experiments, enrichment exercises, teacher aids, and special features of 12 physics laboratory manuals are reported and compared. (JN)

Discusses use of a tangential gun to obtain a value for the specific electronic charge e/m. The method is the one advocated by the tube suppliers, though some suggested variations may appeal to teachers anxious to train their students in thinking along lines that are both scientifically correct and practically desirable. (JN)

Discusses the physics principles applied to the main steps of the photocopying process. Of particular interest (and at the heart of the process) are the ways in which electric charges, or particles carrying charges, are caused to transfer from one surface or medium to another at each stage. (JN)

Provides a brief history of the International Physics Competition (IPC). IPC rules, aims, organization, participants, leaders, finance, language, duration, international jury, problems, evaluation, prizes, and organizers' responsibilities are discussed. Typical problems used and problem solving methods are also discussed. (JN)

Describes (1) oil slick interference rings in the laboratory; (2) cracking of glass by impact; (3) multipurpose prism for refractometry and light path demonstrations; and (4) determination of liquid densities and volumes of solid bodies by the reaction force on a vessel. Procedures used and equipment needed are discussed. (JN)

Traces the development of thermodynamics in physics, focusing on a strategy which enables students to grasp in a limited time and by means of simple calculus the main implications of the second law essential for everyday life (understanding operation of heat engines, refrigerators, heat pumps, district heating, and energy degradation). (JN)

Discusses an accompanying centerfold which not only combines physics and history but also focuses on the matter of perspective. Names of scientists and their accomplishments as well as cultural and political milestones are included in the centerfold. (JN)

Presents the reinforcement theory of learning and explains how it relates to the Keller Plan of instruction. Advocates the use of the Keller Plan as an alternative to the lecture-demonstration system and provides an annotated bibliography of pertinent material. (GS)

Describes a student project in which paper planes were designed and flown to investigate the effect of the wing area to mass ratio on aircraft performance. (GS)

Describes the construction and use of two pieces of equipment for teaching materials related to the propagation of an electric field and the parallel plate capacitor. (GS)