In 5 experiments, assessments were made of subjects' understandings of the dynamics of wheels. The subjects--111 undergraduates and 19 high school physics teachers--made highly erroneous dynamical judgments about this commonplace event, both in explicit problem-solving contexts and when viewing ongoing events. Findings are related to accounts of…

Describes three demonstrations showing chaotic motion, which makes long-term prediction impossible. Discusses the apparatus for the demonstrations and procedures for illustrating chaotic motion of pendulum, balls rolling in a double potential well, and a ball rolling on a balanced beam. (YP)

Evaluates 10 courseware packages covering topics for introductory physics. Discusses the price; sub-topics; program type; interaction; possible hardware; time; calculus required; graphics; and comments on each program. Recommends two packages in projectile and circular motion, and three packages in statics and rotational dynamics. (YP)

Describes an experiment where elementary students determine the optimum angle of inclination for the greatest amount of distance a marble will roll when accelerated down an inclined plane. (PR)

Explains reasons why students have misconceptions concerning pendulum swings. Presents a series of 10 pendulum task cards to provide middle-school students with a solid mental scaffolding upon which to build their knowledge of kinetic energy and pendulums. (PR)

Uses a moderately priced digital multimeter that has output and software compatible with personal computers to make a portable, computer-based data-acquisition system. The system can measure voltage, current, frequency, capacitance, transistor hFE, and temperature. Describes field measures of velocity, acceleration, and temperature as function of…

Deterministic chaos which involves orderly motion is discussed. Presented is the history of chaos and two tests for chaos. Practical applications and predictions of the long-term significance of chaos research are discussed. (KR)

Presents a motion problem that students in a college physics class are asked to solve and later asked to continue to analyze until they have stopped learning from the problem or the problem itself is finished. (MDH)

Discusses the principles of magnetic levitation presented in the physics classroom and applied to transportation systems. Topics discussed include three classroom demonstrations to illustrate magnetic levitation, the concept of eddy currents, lift and drag forces on a moving magnet, magnetic levitation vehicles, levitation with permanent magnets…

Discusses a classroom presentation using a Tonka toy truck's forward and backward motion that (1) develops a graphical representation of the truck's one-dimensional motion; (2) creates graphs representing constant velocity; (3) leads students to a definition of average velocity; and (4) introduces the concept of instantaneous velocity. (MDH)

Reviews research on student learning about collisions in physics instruction. Focus is placed on the main differences between the spontaneous perspective in describing/interpreting collisions and the disciplinary perspective based upon the energy and linear momentum conservation laws. (PR)

Presents a 12th-grade class project on measuring velocity-dependent forces encountered in two common forms of locomotion--rollerblading and cycling. (WRM)

Describes a modification to an inexpensive pinewood derby car that can be used to demonstrate the summation of the force vectors important in sailing. (WRM)

Reviews a range of material written about the use of the Alexander Technique in educating children to acquire better kinesthetic awareness of balance and body movement, and introduces briefly the theoretical principles underpinning Alexander's teaching. Presents curriculum issues for young children and the teacher awareness required to educate…

Discusses the development and use of Personal Assistants for Learning (PALs) computer tutorials for teaching applications of Newton's Laws. Finds that the tutorials were nearly as effective as individual tutoring by expert teachers and considerably more effective than the instruction provided in a well-taught physics class. (Contains over 30…