Discusses the relationship between physics and technology and the ways this relationship should influence Soviet physics education. (RKM)

If oxygen is attracted to a magnet, is there more oxygen in the air near the north magnetic pole? Explains why the answer to this question (posed by a high school physics student) is "no." (JN)

Discusses topics related to high-energy, gamma-ray astronomy (including cosmic radiation, gamma-ray detectors, high-energy gamma-ray sources, and others). Also considers motivation for the development of this field, the principal results to date, and future prospects. (JN)

Current chemical engineering textbooks teach that the driving force for diffusive mass transport in ideal solutions is the gradient in mole fraction. This is only true for ideal solution liquids. Therefore, it is shown that the appropriate driving force for use with ideal gases is the gradient in partial pressure. (JN)

Many talented physicists who fled Europe during the rise of fascist regimes came to the United States to escape various kinds of persecution. The role and accomplishments of these scientists in enriching the science community in the United States are discussed. (JN)

Discusses a survey of curricular allocations to mechanics in departments and schools of engineering. Tables show trends of coverage of mechanics topics and faculty perceptions of teaching and learning trends. (MLH)

This paper introduces integrated curriculum material for high school physics developed by the Physics Education Research Group (PERG) with the University of Massachusetts and high school teachers. This curriculum is based on an action-oriented constructivist approach. There are six types of materials in the curriculum: (1) student activities; (2)…

This educator guide provides background information on Wilbur and Orville Wright and activities on aeronautics that provide templates for building the 1900, 1901, and 1902 Gliders and the 1903 Flyer. Activities include: (1) Early Aviation; (2) Your First Interview; (3) Your First Report; (4) Build a Model of the 1900 Glider; (5) Questions on the…

This report provides information about holders of bachelor's degrees in physics who went on to earn master's degrees and were employed at the time of the survey (completed by spring 1999). This is the second report based on data collected from people who earned bachelor's degrees between 1990 and 1993, but it is the first time the American…

This textbook issue has been prepared to accompany later editions, and includes complete reference to all the problems and practical questions contained in Steele's "Popular Physics," "Popular Chemistry," "Hygienic Physiology," and "New Descriptive Astronomy."

A report on the National Bureau of Standards is presented. It provides national measurement standards for some 40 physical quantities related through the laws of physics to the basic six - length, time, mass, temperature, electric current, and luminous intensity. (DF)