Features articles about physical therapy and its history as related to geometry through measurement of body angles. Includes open-ended worksheets for mathematics activities that introduce students to angle measurement, data analysis, and mathematical tools. Activities include: (1) Making Your Own Goniometer; (2) Range of Motion; (3) Active versus…

Discusses stages of movement in the first 3 years of life with a philosophical dimension regarding evolutionary aspects of movement as first manifestation of "will." Describes how the early childhood environment is prepared to allow for movement and the connection between movement and brain development. Discusses the contribution of…

Described are the results of interviews of students regarding the concepts of "forced" and "natural" motion. Aristolean-like beliefs have been found to persist in students even though these views differ from orthodox physics views. (KR)

Discusses the equipment and techniques for taking photographs using a sound-actuated trigger. Describes a method using two flash units, two sound triggers, and a high-frequency clock to measure speeds. Provides several high-speed photographs. Lists 11 references. (YP)

Introduces a computer solution of the oscillation of a mass suspended by a spring in a viscous liquid. Describes the equations of motion, spreadsheet solution, copying the formulas, plotting the results, and extending the applications. Presents spreadsheet and physics formulas for the step-by-step solution and spreadsheet solution. (YP)

Discusses the orbit, motion, and phases of the moon. Describes three activities on the moon: "How Soon Can You See a Crescent Moon?"; "When is the Moon Visible?"; and "Lunar Eclipses." (YP)

Describes the rebuilding of a Project Physics fan cart on a PASCO dynamics cart chassis for achieving greatly reduced frictional forces. Suggests four experiments for the rebuilt cart: (1) acceleration on a level track, (2) initial negative velocity, (3) different masses and different forces, and (4) inclines. (MVL)

Proposes causal field theory as a model of causal reasoning. Suggests that anomaly detection through comparison with natural events triggers causal reasoning. This anomaly is interpreted in terms of agency; therefore, natural phenomena can be understood through an appeal to agency. The mechanism proposed never changes with development, whereas…

Presents a computer interfaced experiment that relates the equations of force equals mass times acceleration and force equals the derivative of the pressure divided by the derivative of the time. Provides setup, sample data, and equations. (MVL)

Describes a set of displays on the theme of coupled mechanical oscillators. Displays encompass three common demonstrations: (1) a coupled pair of identical pendulums; (2) a multiple-pendulum resonance demonstration; and (3) a Wilberforce coupled oscillator. (MDH)

Discusses solutions to the problem of maximizing the range of a projectile. Presents three references that solve the problem with and without the use of calculus. Offers a fourth solution suitable for introductory physics courses that relies more on trigonometry and the geometry of the problem. (MDH)

Presents examples of physics as applied to the sport of skiing. Examples examine the physics of sliding, unweighting, ski turning, wind resistance, the parabolic and circular motion of aerial skiers, and the aerial maneuvers of ski jumpers. (MDH)

Discusses the rate of fall of a wooden beam or a chimney by examining the fall of a highway lamp pole when it is sheered off at its base upon impact by a vehicle. Provides the mathematical formulas to explain and an experiment to illustrate the phenomenon. (MDH)

Reports on the results of an eighth grade student's experiments, conducted with a moving car, concerning the aerodynamics of a baseball in flight. Describes the peculiar diving ability of the split-fingered fastball, as well as the dancing and weaving effect of the knuckleball. (JJK)

Presents activities for a springtime Space Day that can teach students about astronauts, gravity, and motion. Activities include creating a paper bag spacecraft to study liftoff and having students simulate gravity's effects by walking in various manners and recording pulse rates. A list of resources is included. (SM)