This use of the term "student's misconceptions" reflects a knowledge transmission view of teaching rather than a constructivist view. Among science educators there has been an undue emphasis on changing student views into views accepted by the scientific community. This overemphasis mirrors the preoccupation with transmitting the "right answer"…

Describes and compares three analytical methods of interpreting constant acceleration data from a stroboscopic picture or spark record. (CP)

Describes applications of mechanical principles based on the theory of flight. Includes a discussion of aerofoils and lift, aircraft structures, aircraft performance, and laboratory experiments. (GS)

Describes the process for determination of the constants from data obtained with a hydrogen-deuterium light source and Ebert plane grating spectrograph. (Author/CP)

Provides a computer-assisted instruction program in projectile motion. Tape of program is available from author. (CP)

Suggests taking physics to a playground to manipulate the apparatus and to examine the equipment; applying physical principles such as the pendulum model to swings and angular momentum to the merry-go-round. (BR)

Describes an approach which emphasizes the physical aspects of periodic phenomena, and is explicit about whether the time or space domain is being treated. (Author/GS)

Describes a program which simulates motion in two dimensions of a point mass subject to a force which is a function of position, velocity, or time. Sample applications are noted and a source of a complete list of applications and programs is given. (GH)

A pair of experiments, appropriate for the lower division fourth semester calculus or differential equations course, are presented. The second order differential equation representing the equation of motion of a simple pendulum is derived. The period of oscillation for a particular pendulum can be predicted from the solution to this equation. As a…

In most research that investigates factors influencing the success of analogies in instruction, an underlying assumption is that students have little or no knowledge of the target situation. It is interesting to ask what factors influence the success of analogies when students believe they understand the target situation. If this understanding is…

The Rockwell AIM 65 is recommended for use in physics laboratories. Among advantages cited are that the basic board can be purchased customized; for example, it can be purchased with or without a printer, power supply, extra memory, and other items. In addition, the computer is basically designed to control equipment and take data from peripheral…