States that the existence of an essential underdetermination in the interpretation of the formalism of quantum mechanics, in spite of the widespread belief that logic and empirical considerations alone demand an indeterministic world view in physics, legitimizes the analysis of hermeneutics in science education. (LZ)

Investigated the effects of structured and unstructured overviews on learning basic physics concepts from electronic texts by undergraduates, finding that both overviews produced better memory for text topics and better breadth of recall compared with traditional texts. (MDM)

Explains the properties of the Aborigine musical instrument, the bullroarer. Describes how to make one out of a wooden tongue depressor and dental floss. (MVL)

Describes how to prepare and observe liquid carbon dioxide and solid nitrogen. Provides phase diagrams of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water. (MVL)

Identifies some common misconceptions regarding diffusion that exist among many biology teachers as well as students. Offers suggestions and demonstrations to use in the classroom to help students gain a more accurate understanding of diffusion. (ZWH)

Presents a demonstration that employs angular momentum to disprove the myth that water spirals down a bathtub drain clockwise in one hemisphere and counterclockwise in the other because of the Coriolis force on water. (ZWH)

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which concerns the effect of observation upon what is observed, is proper to the field of quantum physics, but has been mistakenly adopted and wrongly applied in the realm of naturalistic observation. Discusses the misuse of the principle in the current literature on naturalistic research. (DM)

This editorial proposes that famous people in physics be immortalized as heroes through trading cards that present their pictures, personal backgrounds, and contributions to physics. Includes 18 cards for the first collection. (MDH)

Discussion of the development of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) using expert systems and hypertext focuses on the Physics Tutor, a prototype ITS built with off-the-shelf software to test the utility, practicality, and generalizability of the ITS concept. Expert models and student models are explained. (Contains 27 references.) (LRW)

Discussed are the behaviors of particles and energies in the magnetic fields of neutron stars. Different types of possible research using neutron stars as a laboratory for the study of strong magnetic fields are proposed. (CW)

The relationship between theories about electrical conductivity in microscopic wires and laser speckle patterns is described. Practical applications of laser speckle patterns are included. Wave ideas are being used to describe and predict novel phenomena in disordered solids. (KR)

Compares the notion of the conservation or inconservation of information with the laws of conservation of matter and energy. The theory of entropy in physics and its significance in information theory is discussed, and the essential nature of information is considered. (LRW)

Distinguishes between Galileo's original 20-year trial and the subsequent 350-year controversy and the historical aftermath of the original episode from the reflective commentary on it. Provides an in-depth characterization and sketch of the historical aftermath and reflective commentary. Contains 90 references. (Author/WRM)

Introduces a technique using linguistic references in the communication of a physics class to characterize class integration. Measurement of a traditional physics class shows only marginal integration; however, measurement of a traditional physics class shows that integration can be dramatically improved. (Author/CCM)