Describes an advanced laboratory experiment of Fresnel diffraction which uses a He-Ne gas laser as the source and a wire as the opaque diffracting strip. A photograph of the diffraction pattern is compared with the intensity diagram predicted by the Cornu spiral method. Agreement is clear and impressive, although minor differences are detectable.…

Certain terminological inconsistencies in the teaching of optical theory at the elementary level are traced back to Newton who derived them from Euclidean geometrical optics. Discusses this terminological ambiguity which influenced later textbooks. (LS)

Outlines the changes in concepts of atomic structure, and describes the search for quarks. (AL)

Explains individualization of a physics course in terms of organization, testing, and philosophy. Organization of laboratory and lecture is focused on two topics, classical mechanics and relativity theory. The testing consists of quantitative and qualitative questions. (DS)

Report shows tabular material regarding physics enrollment; kinds of programs; teacher numbers, qualifications, and experience; and availability of laboratories of physics classes, in Illinois in 1967 when a state-wide survey was taken. (BR)

Describes the circumstances of the total and partial solar eclipse of March 7, 1970 in certain American cities. Also discussed are (1) a classroom demonstration of the cause of solar eclipses, (2) techniques for safely observing the eclipse, and (3) what to observe during the eclipse. Bibliography. (LC)

Discusses the construction and evaluation of a programed course in mathematics designed to provide remedial instruction to college freshmen who scored below the 25th percentile on the ACT examination. The study involved 200 students at Morgan State College, Maryland. Dependent variables were scores on several mathematics and physics tests given…