Describes a way of teaching the theory of relativity with the help of a novel. Aims to contribute to the formation of didactic theories by means of an evaluation of alternative methods. (AIM)

Discusses difficulties encountered by students in learning physics concepts that arise because they attribute ontology of material substance to these concepts. Reports on a series of four studies that explored the usefulness of an ontological categorization framework in investigating students' alternative conceptions of electric circuits and…

Argues for including the concepts of "twentieth-century physics"--relativity, quantum mechanics, and chaos theory--within the National Curriculum in science for England and Wales, which almost entirely ignores them. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/ASK)

Indicates the importance of science literacy in the population. Makes recommendations for a successful liberal arts science course such as using an interactive inquiry oriented approach and including recent scientific views. (YDS)

Analyzes student responses to interview and written questions on wave physics using diSessa and Sherin's coordination class model which suggests that student use of specific reasoning resources is guided by possibly unconscious cues. (Author/MM)

Discusses the relationships between physical, mathematical, and mental models in the process of constructing and understanding physical theories. Attempts to interpret research findings with college students regarding mental models and physics education under the framework of Johnson-Laird's mental model theory. (Author/MM)

Motion in a circle troubled Newton and his contemporaries and troubles students today. Presents a clear presentation of certain aspects, particularly centripetal acceleration and centrifugal force. (Author/MM)

Describes an experience with the use of a radioactive tracer in medicine. Discusses the methodology of how the tracer was used. (CCM)

Provides a qualitative explanation for why the electric field far from a dipole is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance from the center of the dipole. (WRM)

Three aspects of an introductory course in physics are discussed in this article. They are the texts, the course proper and the laboratory. Together they form an integral part of the entire course. The laboratory, although a subject of much contention, has an important role to play in enhancing and complementing the lectures. The course should be…

This study investigates the effect of a teaching method consisting of peer instruction, worksheets utilization, constructivist classroom dialogue and in-class demonstration. These teaching elements are intended to promote the interactive engagement of first year undergraduate students in an introductory physics course. The conceptual understanding…

This article deals with a pale blue sculpture entitled "A New World View", as an homage to the most famous scientist in modern history, Albert Einstein. It has 32 bas-relief squares composed of glass and steel that represent one aspect of the life and legacy of Albert Einstein. Images of children's faces peer out from behind the glass squares,…

Redox calculations have the potential to reinforce important concepts in bioenergetics. The intermediacy of the NAD[superscript +]/NADH couple in the oxidation of food by oxygen, for example, can be brought out by such calculations. In practice, students have great difficulty and, even when adept at the calculations, frequently do not understand…

An experiment that highlights the role electrochemistry plays in the fabrication of nanoscale structures is presented. The movement and alignment of the nickel nanowires were observed, when manipulated using magnetic fields through the lens of an optical microscope using common magnets to alter the applied magnetic field.

This paper examines the difference between mass and weight, which is discussed very early in most physics courses. Those who indulge in mathematical problems involving weights should know the difference. Mass is often defined as the amount of matter in an object. This usually means the sum of the masses of all the atoms that constitute that…