Describes chemistry of printed circuit substrates, focusing on the physical and chemical requirements of these devices. The electronic interconnections, production of the circuitry, and the chemical nature of the substrate are among the specific topics considered. (JN)

To demonstrate negative feedback a power amplifier is constructed from an operational amplifier together with a complementary pair of transistors as an output stage. The amplifier is developed and tested stage by stage, and at each stage the defects apparent at the previous stage are eliminated. (JN)

The objectives and operation of a school physics competition are discussed. Sample student responses to two practical/project questions are also discussed. It is suggested that such competitions based on small scale practical project work can be effective and can assist teachers in stimulating interest among students. (JN)

Although breathing is a universal activity among physicists (and others), few have bothered to estimate the number of molecules inhaled in a single average breath. Some simple calculations and comparisons related to this phenomenon are provided to improve students' appreciation of the awesome numbers related to Avogadro's number. (JN)

Outlines the growth in the demand for energy on a world-wide basis. Reviews the development of nuclear power and points out the many hazards in the nuclear fuel cycle. Describes the nature of nuclear wastes and explains the quantities involved and the current techniques for waste disposal. (GS)

Presented is a review of a conference sponsored by the International Commission on Physics Education. The conference was concerned with the teaching of physics. (SL)

Discusses research that indicates that nerve membranes, which play a key role in the conduction of impulses, are traversed by protein channels with ion pathways opened and closed by the membrane electric field. (Author/MLH)

This document is a Physics 30 Grade 12 Diploma Examination from Alberta Education. It is a 2.5 hour closed-book examination consisting of 37 multiple-choice and 12 numerical-response questions of equal value worth 70% of the examination and two written-response questions of equal value worth 30% of the examination. The exam contains sets of…

Individual teachers of college level physics sometimes develop deep insights into how their students learn and what elements of classroom instruction are valuable in facilitating the learning process. Yet, these insights rarely persist beyond the individual instructor. Educational methods seem to cycle from one fad to another, rarely cumulating…

This paper discusses the research on three questions to improve physics instruction: (1) What is involved in understanding and using physics? (2) What do students bring to physics classes? and (3) How do students respond to physics instruction? At the heart of physics education research is a shift in emphasis on: "What are the students learning…

This book is designed to help teachers bolster their content knowledge by focusing on specific science concepts regarding the topic of light. The book covers three scientific models of light and discusses the observations that can be explained by each model. Chapters include: (1) "LightN-The Early Years"; (2) "Colorful Waves"; (3) "Focus, People,…

Many students have not succeeded in traditional science education. Second teaching is a new pedagogical construct - a model of small group activity designed to follow initia1 instruction, or first teaching - developed after watching successful small groups at work. Following Vygotsky's ideas, second teaching works to facilitate individual learning…

The study was designed to allow the investigation of the following research questions: (1) What are the magnitude and direction of measurable significant differences in meaningful learning orientation and meaningful understanding of physics concepts between students with learning cycle (LC) instruction and those with meaningful verbal reception…

This paper addresses two questions: "Does conceptual understanding help students solve related quantitative problems?" and "Does working through a quantitative problem help students understand the concepts involved?" A class of approximately 100 students was split into two equally skillful groups, A and B. Group A was administered a tutorial…

This report discusses trends in the physics academic workforce and the implications of these trends for the future academic job market. In March 2000, a survey was sent to 766 U.S. physics departments that grant at least a bachelor's degree in physics, and 725 responses were received, a response rate of 95%. Degree-granting physics departments in…