Reports results of a nationwide survey on undergraduate mechanics education. These results are compared with previous surveys to document trends in mechanics education. Areas addressed include degrees granted, courses required, teaching responsibility, quality of teachers and students, subject matter taught, evaluation methods, and teaching…

Describes an apparatus for an experiment on winding motion in three dimensions. Discusses theory and provides a calculation example. (JM)

Describes the implementation of a computer simulation of magnetic field lines. Discusses properties of magnetic fields and the calculation of magnetic fields at points. Provides a program listing (additional programs and teaching notes available from the author) and gives examples of several field plots. (JM)

Discusses several aspects of the relationship between teaching and learning in a way that may possibly stimulate thinking in the same manner as learning hierarchies, stage theory, and the abundant use of metaphor. (Author/JN)

Describes a college-level physics course which focuses on both physics knowledge/skills and use of microcomputers. Types of experiments done with the computers and how students use the computers to treat data are considered. (JN)

Describes how to make an electroscope from aluminum soft drink or beer cans. Also describes several electrostatic experiments using the easily constructed apparatus. (JN)

Offers guidelines for school visits to various industries. In addition, points out that industry would like students to know what it is like to work in a factory and that industrial applications should be incorporated into physics courses. (JN)

Describes the types of industrial studies course offerings available in higher education. Also discusses the bachelor of science program in industrial studies at Sheffield City Polytechnic. The program, which focuses on science-based industry, places equal emphasis on technological and business inputs. (JN)

Working parties established by the Secondary Examinations Council are devising grade-related criteria for use with the new General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (GCSE). The aim is to produce in each subject a set of performance criteria covering GCSE grades A-G. The work of the physics group is discussed. (JN)

Presents three separate but related discussions on the rationale for including electronics into school physics programs. Pressures for curriculum change, strategies for teaching electronics, objectives of electronics, and other areas are addressed. (JN)

Describes a computer program which plots electric field line plots. Includes program listing, sample diagrams produced on a BBC model B microcomputer (which could be produced on other microcomputers by modifying the program), and a discussion of the properties of field lines. (JN)

Provides information on physics courses at 111 institutions in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Includes (when applicable) descriptions of regularly available and/or honors degree courses, course structure, special entry requirements, additional comments (such as information on alternative courses or transfer requirements), and source of…

Provides information on physics courses at universities and colleges of technology in Scotland. Includes (when applicable) descriptions of regularly available and/or honors degree courses, course structure, special entry requirements, additional comments (such as transfer requirements), and sources for additional information. (JN)

Discusses forces that shape the behavior of water as a drop meanders down a windowpane. A homemade apparatus for studying meanders is described along with several experiments. Contact angles, molecule attraction, surface area, air tension, and gravity drag forces are some of the topics addressed. (DH)

Background information and procedures are provided for an optics experiment related to diffraction order asymmetry. (JN)