Describes a hands-on lesson in magnetism designed to be used with upper elementary grade students. Emphasizes structured experiences which involve the student in measuring, data collecting, graphing, and extrapolating information. (TW)

Reports on a study designed to examine students' understanding of certain aspects of heat, pressure, and evolution. Results indicated that little change was apparent over the two-year period of the study, with most of the students in the 12 to 14 age range at the same conceptual level as the 14 to 16 year olds. (TW)

Presents coulombic models representing the particles of a system by point charges interacting through Coulomb's law to explain coulombic lattice potential. Uses rubidium manganese trifluoride as an example of cubic perovskite structure. Discusses the effects on cluster properties. (CW)

Presents three examination questions, graded in difficulty, that explore the topic of potential energy surfaces using a diagrammatic approach. Provides and discusses acceptable solutions including diagrams. (CW)

Summarizes the National Research Council report "Frontiers in Chemical Engineering: Research Needs and Opportunities." Highlights areas at the frontiers of chemical engineering research. Discusses the relevant audience of the report. Points out sources of funding for research. Emphasizes education related recommendations for universities…

Describes the Open University (OU) Physics for Science Teachers project. Explains how distance-learning packages are to be studied. Identifies the audience that the program will address. Discusses the reasons why this program can be successful. Suggests that their program is part of a wider program to improve science teaching. (CW)

Provides an analysis of 178 students who left Solihill Sixth Form College between 1975 and 1981 to do a degree in physics (approximately one-third) or engineering (approximately two-thirds) at a university or polytechnic. Results, among others, show good correlations between A-levels and successful degree performance. (JN)

Describes an undergraduate laboratory experiment in which a moving coil galvanometer is studied and the electromotive force generated by the swinging coil provides the impulse response information in a form suitable for digitizing and inputing to a microcomputer. Background information and analysis of typical data are included. (JN)

Describes: (1) two experiments using a laser (resonant cavity for light and pinhole camera effect with a hologram); (2) optical differaction patterns displayed by microcomputer; and (3) automating the Hall effect (with comments on apparatus needed and computer program used); and (4) an elegant experiment in mechanical equilibrium. (JN)

To improve the testing of students' skills in performing laboratory experiments, 92 Israeli high school physics teachers participated in the development of a list of weighted laboratory skills. Sensory-motor coordination was found to be a significant measured factor. Factors affecting reliability were also noted. (GDC)

Discusses a study which examined the last factor of Piaget's model of intelligence-functioning. Sought to determine if empirical evidence could be formed to support the existence of assimilation, disequilibrium, accommodation, and organization in the learning of physics. Naturalistic data provided support for the Piagetian functioning model of…

Describes a program established by the Polytechnic of North London to encourage a range of pupils to continue their studies in science, mathematics, and engineering. Highlights the approach taken in two physics sessions and provides an assessment of the program's impact on students and teachers. (ML)

Discusses some contributions chemists can make in the investigation of crime. Describes the optical properties of materials and defines the refractive index. Explains the refractive indices for liquids and for solids, and provides laboratory exercises for determining both. (TW)

Traces the development of instruments used in spectrophotometry. Discusses how spectrophotometric measurements are made. Describes the color comparator, the filter photometer, and the spectrophotometer. Outlines the evolution of optical systems, including light sources, the monochromator, the photodetector, double-beam optics, and split-beam…

Describes: (1) the construction of a variable-volume resonator and Raleigh-disk resonance detector from simple materials; and (2) a learning aid for performing 60 experiments in basic electricity and electronics (consisting of a circuit board, components, and mask sheets). Illustrative experiments are included for both apparatus. (DH)