The difference in time between the emission and reception of light is called the "lookback" time. This article explores implications of lookback time and explains some of the puzzling questions posed by the scientific observation of cosmic history. Provides several pictures and diagrams. (YP)

Discusses a laboratory exercise simulating the paths of light rays through spherical water drops by applying principles of ray optics and geometry. Describes four parts: determining the output angles, computer simulation, explorations, model testing, and solutions. Provides a computer program and some diagrams. (YP)

Discussed is the historic development of Snell's law and derivation of the law without using mathematical expressions. Describes laboratory procedures using diagrams. (YP)

Investigates the effect of modeling analogy on learning of the concepts of electricity in grade 6, 8, and 10. Describes 2 analogies (train analogy and thermal analogy) with diagrams and examples. Discusses the accessibility, transferability, and difficulty of each analogy. Reports treatment effect and some further implications. (YP)

Describes a demonstration of the transmission of data signals from one microcomputer to another using an optical fiber line. Discusses the set-up method and demonstration steps for sending program and graphics. Provides a block diagram of the system and two circuit diagrams. (YP)

Describes principals of physics that are manifested in simple biological systems of heat conservation structures. Outlines materials needed, data collection, analysis, and discussion questions for construction and operation of two models, one that is a countercurrent heat exchange model and one that is not. (RT)

Introduced is an analysis of a waveform into its Fourier components. Topics included are simplified analysis of a square waveform, a triangular waveform, half-wave rectified alternating current (AC), and impulses. Provides the mathematical expression and simplified analysis diagram of each waveform. (YP)

Explains the problem of analyzing a phase object, separating the contribution due to thickness variations and that due to refractive index variations. Discusses the design of an interferometer and some applications. Provides diagrams and pictures of holographic images. (YP)

Describes an application of methodology based on the Information Integration Theory to study intuitive mastery by 13-14 year-olds of Archimedes' Effect in physics. (Author/YP)

Analyzes the information-seeking patterns of a group of research physicists and chemists and compares them with the information seeking activities of a group of social scientists obtained from a previous study. The impact of developments in information technology on the information or communication patterns of all of the researchers is considered.…

Study concludes that professors focused on development of intellectual skills, assuming that students had a specific physics vocabulary. Students, however, were aware of their own limitations and suggested that professors should take nothing for granted. Students considered that, to be a good teacher, a professor should know the perspective of the…

The experimental/analogy group scored significantly higher than the control group on a posttest question that required the definition of diffusion (n=77 community college students). Hypothetico-deductive reasoning skill was significantly related to correct application of the diffusion concept to a change from the misapplication of the polarity and…

Examined how task design influences the effectiveness of peer collaboration in facilitating students' conceptual change in physics. Subjects were 8- to 12-year olds studying heating and cooling. Results showed the general superiority of collaborative tasks that both facilitate critical testing and require rules; task designs deploying one feature…

Describes a program designed to make physics more accessible to students. Entails extracting articles from newspapers (compiled to form a journal named "Exaktueel") and using them as a source of ideas for classroom activities. (ZWH)

Discusses how laboratory skills or experiences learned in a chemistry course can be used to help students to better understand physics. (ZWH)