This concept module on vibrations and waves is one of thirteen modules that provide a flexible, laboratory-based physics instructional package designed to meet the specialized needs of students in two-year, postsecondary technical schools. Each of the thirteen concept modules discusses a single physics concept and how it is applied to each energy…

Describes a teaching strategy designed to help high school students learn mechanics by involving them in simple experimental work, observing didactic films, running computer simulations, and executing more complex laboratory experiments. Provides an example of the strategy as it is applied to the topic of projectile motion. (TW)

Introduced is a unique generation method of Fourier series requiring simple mathematical skills and using computer programs. Discusses Fourier synthesis by microcomputer, and Fourier analysis with simple equipment. Shown are a circuit diagram, computer programs, monitor displays and tables of data. (YP)

Reviews "Scatter," a software package consisting of three programs designed to help students "see" results of particle scattering and representative concepts difficult to show in introductory laboratories. Includes source, equipment needed, physics level, time involvement, interaction, and nature of programs. Recommends only…

A computer program, making use of interactive computer graphics, has been developed to help students become fluent in the mathematical procedures needed to understand concepts of addition of waves. Background theory, use of the program, and technical and educational features of the program (written in Fortran) are discussed. (Author/JN)

Describes a set of equipment which can be mounted on magnetic chalkboards or other ferromagnetic surfaces, useful for both experiments and demonstrations in mechanics, including center of mass experiments, and force vector experiments using string, spring scales, weights, and pulleys. (SK)

Reports the rationale, design, validation, and uses of the "Force Concept Inventory," an instrument to assess the students' beliefs on force. Includes results and implications of two studies that compared the inventory with the "Mechanics Baseline." Includes a copy of the instrument. (MDH)

Presents six learning exercises that introduce students to the mathematics used to control and track spacecraft attitude. Describes the geocentric system used for Earthbound location and navigation, the celestial sphere, the spacecraft-based celestial system, time-dependent angles, observer-fixed coordinate axes, and spacecraft rotational axes.…

Demonstrates a laboratory to teach the concept of moment of inertia in which students are asked to identify four objects of equal mass sealed in unopenable containers by identifying the mass distribution of each object. Gives instructions to build an instrument to determine relative distribution of mass. (MDH)

Describes the use of C programming language for creating simple programs to teach about pendulums, waves, and frequency. (PR)

This paper describes an attempt to facilitate students' learning of scientific concepts by using detectors that take as input physical information and output an instantiation of the concept. The principle hypothesis was that students would have a better understanding of the concept of image if they were taught to use a simplified, runnable model…

Various aspects of the cognitive model of physics problem solving are discussed in detail including relevant cues, encoding, memory, and input stimuli. The learning process involved in the recognition of familiar and non-familiar sensory stimuli is highlighted. Its four components include selection, acquisition, construction, and integration. The…

This paper is concerned with the development of a coherent unified theory for a science of curriculum--specifically, the development of logical consistency and compatibility with related fields in the formation of theory. Learning as a common human activity is subject to principles germane to human activity in general, as well as to universal…

This case study is an interpretation of the honesty of a student in a high school physics classroom, and is part of a dissertation designed to investigate student roles and goals based on gender, ethics, and learning. In this paper on ethics, the actions of the physics student are examined as issues which link to the student's classroom roles and…

Presents a classical approximation of the equipartition theorem of thermodynamics. A canonical distribution is assumed and the calculations of Reif are followed to solve for the average potential energy per particle. (CP)