Provides a history on the origin of the radian and other units of angular measure including the mil and the grade or grad. (MVL)

Attempts to find ways to measure transcendental and irrational numbers. Provides methods for analyzing the square root of two, the natural logarithm e, and pi. (MVL)

Provides a method to help students understand problem-solving techniques used in introductory physics courses. (MVL)

Presents a method using art classics to teach that a third vector axis is required to represent orientations in three-dimensional space. Helps students understand the importance of perspective, frame of reference, balance, and color theory. (MVL)

Notes that when using the screw as a simple machine, the pitch of the screw is important in the amount of force that will be produced. (MVL)

Attempts to connect the seemingly disjointed points of view of diffraction and reflection. Light is reflected off of a metal fence, which acts as a grating. Notes that grating with zero spacing between the grating elements acts as a reflector. (MVL)

Summarizes how a quartz watch works. Discusses the quartz crystal, its form, and how its frequency is set to a standard; the integrated circuit chip that drives the crystal in vibration, scales its frequency down, and forms pulses that turn the motor; and the motor that drives the gear train that turns the hands. (ZWH)

Describes a hands-on physics exercise, entitled "The Triangle of Science" designed to review math skills, estimating and approximating skills, and help to develop students' appreciation of the limits of scientific investigation. (ZWH)

This article describes different techniques used to measure air flow velocity. The two methods used were Crawford's Wastebasket and a video camera. The results were analyzed and compared to the air flow velocity predicted by Bernoulli's principle. (ZWH)

Discusses the way in which physics can be used to determine the structure of the Earth and observe the processes indicative of the structures dynamic nature. (MDH)

Describes an eleventh-grade physics classroom in which lessons were structured cooperatively. Argues that a cooperative structure of lessons in a physics classroom provides a positive atmosphere in which debate, verbal play, and collegiality play central roles. (HB)

Heavily ionizing charged particles produce radiation damage tracks in a wide variety of insulating materials. The experimental properties of these tracks and track recorders are described. The mechanisms by which the tracks are produced are discussed. (Author/KR)

A principle is presented to show that, if the time of passage of light is expressible as a function of discrete variables, one may dispense with the more general method of the calculus of variations. The calculus of variations and the alternative are described. The phenomenon of mirage is discussed. (Author/KR)

Contrasted the effect of direct manipulative experiences with objects that sink and float with effect of instructional experiences that incorporated discrepant events for five- and six-year-old children (n=113). The findings suggest manipulation is not an adequate means of helping children develop concepts of floating/sinking; their success may be…

Discusses common as well as uncommon minerals that are attracted to a hand magnet. Included in the discussion are answers to the following questions: (1) What causes this attraction? and (2) How many different minerals respond to a hand magnet? (ZWH)