Uses the context of sports surfaces to discuss the qualities of a surface that will produce a shock-absorbing effect. Discusses experiments to measure the shock-absorbing properties from two theoretical perspectives. Describes necessary equipment for the experiments. (MDH)

Discusses the energy flux-density of two beams of light of equal energy that are intersected at a given angle. Examines an apparent contradiction to the physics law of conservation of energy known as Vavilov's paradox. (MDH)

Presents a collection of inexpensive autumn science activities for elementary students. A full moon activity encourages observational and critical thinking skills. A pumpkin activity teaches physics. A spider activity teaches biology and alleviates unnecessary fears. A student page has children create a bookmark that shows faces in the full moon.…

Variance as a function of time is described for the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate's examination standards, with emphasis on the performance of candidates from Botswana and Zimbabwe. Results demonstrate the value of simple linear modeling in extracting performance trends for a range of subjects over time across six countries. (TJH)

Reprinted from the original Russian manuscript of Yakov Zeldovich, this article chronicles his studies of the universe and his attempts to construct a theory of its evolution. He provides the high school student with compelling cosmological discussions about uniformity, galactic clusters, radiation, evolution, the big bang, and gravitational…

Questionnaire results indicate that, although first-year, undergraduate science students (n=109) recognize the correct sources of energy for organisms, they simultaneously hold misconceptions about other essential, but nonenergy-supplying, conditions as sources of energy supply. Occurrence rates for these misconceptions vary with the students'…

Provides a list of 33 problem-solving steps extracted from physics textbooks and arranged within the following 3 categories: setup, solution, and checks. (MDH)

Introduces and develops mathematical notation to assist undergraduate students in overcoming conceptual difficulties involving the underlying mathematics of state functions, which tend to be different from functions encountered by students in previous mathematical courses, because of the need to manipulate special types of partial derivatives and…

A quantitative application of magnetic braking performed with an air track is described. The experimental measurement of the position of the glider as a function of time is calculated. (KR)

General physics students have difficulties interpreting experimental data and finding mathematical functions that produce curves resembling typical data. Proposes utilizing computer programs that generate graphs to develop function-recognition and curve-fitting skills. Discusses advantages of computerized curve fitting. (MDH)

The testing of a formal causal model of thinking about motion is described using a matching-pairs paper-and-pencil task. Subjects were asked to distinguish between examples of stereotypical motions by the similarity or difference of causes of pairs of motions. The results suggest that responses can be predicted by the model with the addition of an…

Provides insights on the development of a training program to help teachers instruct an introductory calculus-based physics course. (ZWH)

Describes an experiment that demonstrates the use of Kirchoff's rules in the analysis of electrical circuits. The experiment also involves the solution of a linear nonhomogeneous differential equation that is slightly different from the standard one for the simple RC circuit. (ZWH)

Describes a science project, Interactive Space Physics Ionosphere Radio Experiments (INSPIRE), that allows students to work with physicists to address unanswered questions about the physics of space. (ZWH)

Described is a way in which elementary science methods students experience the Generative Learning Model (GLM) from the learner's perspective and then analyze an activity about pendulums through the eyes of the pedagogue. The four phases of the GLM--preliminary, focus, challenge, and application--are discussed. (KR)