Presents a series of activities that utilizes a leveling device to classify constant and accelerated motion. Applies this classification system to uniform circular motion and motion produced by gravitational force. (MDH)

Discusses three topics related to physics: (1) the center of mass of a long stick thrown horizontally; (2) how electric current flows in metals; and (3) the theory of relativity in relationship with fictionalized time machines. (MDH)

Provides diagrams and text to describe the procedures and results of an experiment used to introduce students to parametric resonance. (ZWH)

Presents a method of calculating acceleration resulting from gravity using computer-controlled photogates. (ZWH)

An example of how a traditional activity on motion and acceleration can be adapted to the learning-cycle format is described. The three challenge statements given to students to solve are provided. The key learning-cycle steps of exploration, expansion, and extension are discussed. (KR)

Discusses the artificial-intelligence-based microworld DiBi and MULEDS, a multilevel diagnosis system. Developed to adapt tutoring style to the individual learner. Explains that DiBi sets up a learning environment, and simulates elastic impacts as a subtopic of classical mechanics, and supporting reasoning on different levels of mental domain…

Discusses how to build an inexpensive Young's modulus apparatus and also a lens with an adjustable focal length. Describes the demonstration of moving a peeled, hard-boiled egg in and out of a flask whose neck is slightly smaller than the egg. (MVL)

Uses projectile motion to explain the two roots found when using the quadratic formula. An example is provided for finding the time of flight for a projectile which has a negative root implying a negative time of flight. This negative time of flight also has a useful physical meaning. (MVL)

Explains a novel way of approaching centripetal force: theory is used to predict an orbital period at which a toy train will topple from a circular track. The demonstration has elements of prediction (a criterion for a good model) and suspense (a criterion for a good demonstration). The demonstration proved useful in undergraduate physics and…

Describes an activity in which students try to determine, by using physics calculations, when to drop a raw egg from a tower to hit their physics teacher who is walking beneath it. (WRM)

Discusses a case study on discovery learning with a computer simulation environment in the physics domain of collisions. Finds that providing assignments with the simulation improves students' performance on one aspect of an intuitive-knowledge test. Contains 43 references. (Author/WRM)

Presents a pre-lab exercise, an experimental setup, and discussion of computer-generated graphs that can be used to study the motion and energy of a bouncing ball. (WRM)

Describes Wavemaker, a simulation environment developed to graphically reveal the behavior of periodic systems using a series of increasingly sophisticated visual tools. Results indicate that the software is helpful in connecting real to simulated systems. (Author/CCM)

Describes an investigation in which radioactive by-products of radon decay are collected and measured from a charged balloon. (WRM)

Provides a set of macro-experiments designed to improve students' intuitive understanding of physics and motivation for learning physics. Students become part of the experimental apparatus and experience the physical phenomena firsthand. (DDR)