At the end of a secondary school science study of mechanics, a summary lab uses a motorcycle to provide students with the chance to apply some of the concepts they have studied. Exercises from this motorcycle physics lab are discussed. (Author/JN)

Discusses the distribution of kinetic and potential energy in transverse and longitudinal waves and examines the transmission of power and momentum. This discussion is intended to aid in understanding the simple harmonic motion of a particle involved in the propagation of a harmonic mechanical plane wave. (HM)

Describes a "flat" linear air track, glider and spark timer system for use in the physics laboratory. The results of experimental tests using the system are briefly stated. (SA)

Shows that the nonlinear vector product developed by the author in a previous paper to treat successive space rotations can be employed to treat the space time rotations of special relativity in which the angle of rotation is imaginary. (HM)

Shows that the basic properties of spherical harmonics follow in a simple and elegant way from the commutation relations for angular momentum operators and the commutation relations between these operators and arbitrary vector operators. (Author/HM)

Presents eight short articles on the following topics: demonstration of possible excitations in liquids; Mohr's circle and the determination of moments of inertia; braking distance versus mass for automobiles; a constant gravity model of the earth's interior; diffraction pattern of a hair; hyperbolic mirrors; sulfation plates; and principles of…

Describes a number of demonstrations for physics that employ techniques of the martial arts to illustrate Newton's second law of motion. Demonstrations focus on the breaking of wooden boards using weights. (DDR)

Describes a technique that measures the deformation produced in a plastic material by a falling ball in order to compute the ball's kinetic energy. Varying the parameters produces accurate results and gives students a good understanding of the measurement of energy. Combines various mechanical concepts that students have learned separately in…

Demonstrates misconceptions of the meaning of temperature based on classical kinetic energy. Discusses some misconceptions about negative temperatures and the effect of compression. (YP)

Describes four kinds of movement by a cat with or without angular momentum and tail or tail-less during free falling. Presents many pictures illustrating the movement. Supports the position that the angular momentum of the tail plays an important role in free fall. (YP)

Discusses the applications of the principles of mechanics to rock climbing techniques. Provides illustrations showing the applied force vectors. (YP)

Presents an experiment that demonstrates conservation of momentum and energy using a box on the ground moving backwards as it is struck by a projectile. Discusses lab calculations, setup, management, errors, and improvements. (JRH)

Discusses interesting aspects of the Carnot cycle and other thermodynamic cycles that are generally not dealt with in elementary physics texts. Presents examples that challenge the student to think about the extraction of net work from a cycle. (JRH)