Some fundamental relations that were strangely presented in a recent edition of a high school physics text (Physics: Fundamentals and Frontiers) are discussed. Relations discussed include: negative acceleration, vector components, and analyzing the interaction of a spring pendulum suspended from another spring pendulum. (BT)

Discusses a laboratory experiment, using the single-photon counting technique, to determine the fluorescence spectrum of NaI(T1) crystal under gamma excitation. (Author/GA)

Explores the language used by teachers to denote various forces and investigates possible misconceptions they might hold about force and motion. Results indicate that biology and chemistry specialists hold the most misconceptions. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Discusses an Israeli study examining the professional development of physics, electronics, and mechanics teachers. Examines whether an externally developed school improvement model could customize the supervision process to each school system and academic discipline's needs. Carl Glickman's developmental supervision model succeeds in identifying…

Introduces a laboratory experiment that investigates the key factors in determining the depth or diameter of an impact crater. (YDS)

Described is an activity in which groups of students investigate engineering principles by writing a feasibility study to raise the luxury liner, Titanic. The problem statement and directions, and suggestions for problem solutions are included. (CW)

Solutions for a problem in which the time necessary for an object to fall into the sun from the average distance from the earth to the sun are presented. Both calculus- and noncalculus-based solutions are presented. A sample computer solution is included. (CW)

Described is the use of a spreadsheet to model dynamic phenomena using numerical iterative methods. Uses the discharge of a capacitor, simple and damped harmonic motion, and the flow of heat along a bar as examples. (Author/CW)

Provides an inservice workshop experience for underprepared physics or physical science teachers. Describes a demonstration showing conservation of momentum using an air track, gliders, and a model railway train. Includes a brief introduction to demonstrations of Newton's second law, scattering of laser light, and the effect of a telescope on…

Describes a thin film rectangular dielectric waveguide and its laboratory use. Discusses the theory of uniaxial thin film waveguides with mathematical expressions and the laboratory procedures for a classroom experiment with diagrams. (Author/YP)

Discusses the shock wave sweeping through traffic flow. Describes the characteristics of kinematic waves in different traffic flows. Presents the author's experiences in studying traffic flow. (YP)

Describes a project where students build a motorized car that can perform well in two distinctly different competitions: traveling 20 meters in the shortest time and pulling a 500-gram mass the farthest distance in 20 seconds. Enables students to apply physics principles to a real problem and to discover the importance of teamwork on large…

Describes using Gooyuk--a substance made from corn starch and water--to create a wave tank with slow waves. Explains how to use the wave tank in instruction. (PR)

Uses a TI-82 graphics calculator to model the air drag of plastic, wood, cork, and foam balls during projectiles experiments. Provides equations and typical data table. (MVL)

Investigated students' understanding of the concept of weightlessness and found it to be influenced by the confusion between the concepts of weight and gravitational force. The causal structure of students' knowledge presents a platform for interpreting students' alternative ideas about weight and related physical concepts, which could guide…