The theory of the atmospheric electric circuit and a discussion of the fair-weather electrical are presented. The ion concentration, mobility, conductivity, and electric field altitudinal profiles are explained. An outline of the electrical processes inside thunderstorms along with a description of the lightning strike are included. (Author)

Argues that public management researchers should emulate the scientific approaches of physicists and other scientists. Shows that the creative use of language and stories underlies many of the great advances in physics and engineering and that adoption of certain concepts is related to their practicality. (Author/JOW)

Describes how the Hubble Space Telescope works and how scientists repaired the spherical aberration that caused a reduction in image quality. (ZWH)

An imaging technique that uses fluorescent dyes and allows scientists to track DNA as it moves through gels or in solution is described. The importance, opportunities, and implications of this technique are discussed. (KR)

In three Iowa secondary schools, pretests/posttests were completed by 75 physics students, 24 second-year Principles of Technology (PT) students, and 61 controls. Physics and PT students significantly increased achievement in content covered in PT; controls had no gains. PT students' raw scores were 16 points higher on the posttest than physics…

Technical terminology such as shaft and axle has a range of meanings in instructional support materials. Studies of children show that they use their own terms to describe unfamiliar components. Although appropriate vocabulary is desirable in technology education, teachers should find ways to incorporate children's own vocabulary to help them…

Describes a simple and novel method for identifying misconceptions. Utilizes the Certainty of Response Index (CRI) in conjunction with answers to multiple-choice questions. (Author/CCM)

Describes the use of concept-centered minilabs in physics instruction. Finds this method successful in several courses taught by different instructors at Rutgers University. (CCM)

Analyzes the motion of a charged point particle started from rest near the center of a charged circular ring. (CCM)

Finds that 75 students entering an introduction to astronomy course at university held a series of misconceptions about several central topics in basic astronomy. (Author/CCM)

Soap films can exhibit sudden changes analogous to phase transitions, and these changes can be animated using the software package Mathematica. In this way students can be introduced to phase changes earlier than usual. Soap films provide excellent examples of patterning that arises from simple balancing of forces and minimizing of energy.…

Presents a demonstration of kinematics principles that stresses conceptual analysis over equation manipulation. Aims at focusing students' attention on concepts by using comparative problems, allowing students to predict the outcome of the demonstration and explain the reasoning behind their predictions, and extending the context in which the…

Discusses descriptions of the way in which an optical system controls the quantity of light that reaches a point on the image plane, a basic feature of optical imaging systems such as cameras, telescopes, and microscopes. (JRH)

Survey of seven physics textbooks in use in the Caribbean and Britain found a gender imbalance showing frequent depiction of males, particularly as adults, which may have an adverse effect on the numbers of girls continuing their studies in physics. (Author/MKR)