Describes a photogate electronic flash trigger that synchronizes flash discharge with high-speed events. Presents a photographic study of a high-speed collision demonstrating the passage of a BB through an elastic strip. Provides the schematic of the delay circuit utilized in the trigger. (MDH)

Describes a homemade experimental chamber constructed to accurately measure the refractive index of a transparent liquid. (MDH)

Discusses the use of computers in physics education as a tool in individual student research projects for simulating both simple and more complicated phenomena. Reviews IBM compatible software associated with computer-assisted instruction in physics education. (PR)

In developing a physics course that would capture medical student interest at the University of Queensland (Australia), it was discovered that there is minimal correlation between students' interest in a subject and perceptions of its difficulty but strong correlation between interest and perception of its relevance to clinical studies.…

Reports a follow-up survey of 1,565 high school physics students in Oregon to determine whether and why they had taken physics in college. Results indicated that roughly half of the 590 students responding went on to study physics and that students from schools offering multiple physics courses had higher rates of continuation. (MDH)

Presents the theory of primary and secondary rainbow formation utilizing simple optics and geometric concepts. Describes an appropriate, waterless classroom demonstration and includes the relevant mathematical formulas and models. (JJK)

An extensive observational project of the movement of the moon is described. Directions for building a cross-staff used to measure the angle between specific stars and the moon and a copy of a stereographic projection of the celestial sphere used in data reduction are provided. (KR)

An activity in which students design and build an apparatus that can be used to rapidly determine the specific gravities of small substances is described. Calculations needed to determine the density of substances when using the Jolly balance are included. (KR)

The development of aids for teaching a general physics course to blind students is discussed. Described are how the materials should be used considering the topic of equilibrium of a rigid body. Results and improvements obtained with this method of teaching are briefly discussed. (KR)

The model for color vision put forward by Edwin Land is explained. The aspects of the theory that can be demonstrated within the classroom are described. A random arrangement of straight-edged colored areas mounted on a screen, called a Mondrian, projectors, and a computer are used to calculate reflectance. (KR)

The consequences of exchanging ideas while making joint decisions about the paths followed by falling objects are addressed. Based on the results from 12- to 15-year-old pupils (n=82) who responded to computer-presented problems, it is indicated that benefits are to be gained but that constraints additional to joint decision making may be…

Using a paper-and-pencil test consisting of multiple-choice situational questions which also require reasoning for the choices made, common misconceptions in light were identified. It was found that most of the students understand the basic properties of light at a knowledge level but had difficulty applying these concepts in novel situations.…

Uses diagrams and text to illustrate the use of Lissajous figures (the figures that are traced out when two simple harmonic motions are combined at right angles to each other) in teaching basic physics concepts. Covers the mathematics of the Lissajous Figure; demonstrating Lissajous Figures; and a typical class. (ZWH)

Describes a community-college curriculum that incorporates Socratic Dialogue Inducing (SDI) laboratories into a new calculus-based preengineering physics sequence. SDI allows for group discussion labs that emphasize the concepts being taught in the lectures. (ZWH)

Discusses reasons for the decline in American student participation in the sciences and offers suggestions to reverse this trend. (ZWH)