Describes physics experiments (including speed, acceleration, and acceleration due to gravity) in which students write programs to obtain and manipulate experimental data using the Atari microcomputer game port. The approach emphasizes the essential physics of the experiments while affording students useful experience of automatic data collection.…

Reviews three videotapes for physics teachers: (1) "Determination of the Newtonian Constant of Gravitation" showing the Cavendish experiment; (2) "Preview Film for RAM-Tutor Media" introducing a series of seven videocassettes covering physics; and (3) "Determination of the Velocity of Light" using a rotating mirror. (YP)

Provides a first-week activity in which student groups brainstorm and build cars to win a race. Includes rules, suggestions, time line, and evaluation methods. Notes that many misconceptions may arise from the activity but these are dealt with in the next few weeks of class. (MVL)

Uses the problem of determining when a car and truck traveling at the same speed will collide after the truck has applied its brakes to illustrate the need to consider boundary conditions when solving problems in elementary mechanics. (MDH)

Describes the serendipitous discovery of paths left by charged particles in the magnetic deflection unit outside of a cyclotron. Offers suggestions for their occurrence. (CP)

Applies Newtonian mechanics in an analysis of how a swing is made to move. (GS)

After summarizing the Rasmussion Report, the author reviews the probabilistic portion of the report from the perspectives of engineering utility and risk assessment uncertainty. The author shows that the report may represent a significant step forward in the assurance of reactor safety and an imperfect measure of actual reactor risk. (BT)

The characteristic features of the Maxwell-Botzmann energy distribution function and its variation with temperature are demonstrated using visual displays and simple counting techniques. (DT)

Describes a tandem mirror concept for nuclear fusion. Its basic features is a solenoidal plasma plugged at both ends by "baseball magnets." Could become the basis for a future reactor. (GA)

Addresses the question of frequency correspondence in the domain of large quantum numbers, with reference to periodic systems. Provides two simple counterexamples (a particle in a cubical box and a rigid rotator) to show that the classical result is not always recovered in the limit of large quantum numbers. (JM)

Discussion of the shortcomings of textbook explanations of surface tension, distinguishing between concepts of tension and capillary rise. The arguments require only a clear understanding of Newtonian mechanics, notably potential energy. (DF)

This sport can be usefully examined in an introductory mechanics course. The concepts of energy, momentum, acceleration, velocity, torque, and power are all involved in the analysis of the problem. High interest among the students usually results in increased understanding of the physical principles involved. (Author/DF)