Reviews the uses of television in education and considers the future in relationship to the microelectronics revolution. New microelectronic technology, cheap information storage, and cheap transmission of information are discussed as major components of a revolution in educational television use. (Author/BK)

A known but often overlooked property of optical monochromators is discussed in view of its current applications. It is shown that grating and prism monochromators hold on to light for time durations proportional to resolving power and that the dispersing ability of monochromators extends to pulses of arbitrarily short duration. (SK)

Points out that neither Minkowski's nor Abraham's proposal gives correctly the momentum density of light in a refracting medium. Derives the correct result as given by Peierls. (MLH)

Describes a graphical method for representing image formation in lenses and mirrors. (MLH)

Discusses the principles behind holograms: the design and procedure to make either a reflection hologram or a transmission hologram, developing the hologram, safety precautions, and classroom applications. (JRH)

Presents an activity that uses holiday lights to help students internalize the concept that white light contains a combination of all the colors of the rainbow. (JRH)

A new analysis, based on the concept of the ideal observer in signal detection theory, is described. It allows: tracing of the flow of discrimination information through the initial physiological stages of visual processing for arbitrary spatio-chromatic stimuli, and measurement of the information content of said visual stimuli. (TJH)

Describes the necking of polymer sheets that occurs when they are stretched. Discusses the effect and the mechanisms of necking. Lists four references. (YP)

Explains the color change of the sky by using scattering with science history. Provides several diagrams in each case, such as daylight, twilight, just after sunset, setting sun, and earth's shadow. Presents a reference of three further reading materials. (YP)

Describes the construction and use of homemade kaleidoscopes using film canisters and microscope slides. (JRH)

Presents a demonstration that uses a laptop computer as a source of polarized light to make clear the principle behind a liquid-crystal display (LCD). (JRH)

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)

Presents the theory behind the spots of light observed inside a balloon when it is exposed to light. Discusses the use of this phenomenon in teaching optics lessons. (JRH)

Describes a method to trace the reflection of a light ray incident on a pair of mirrors hinged together along one edge. Can be extended to ray tracing through tubes, cones, and prisms. (JRH)

Describes a spreadsheet that can be used to show the changes in intensity of Fraunhofer diffraction patterns produced by a single and double slits arrangement. Discusses a practical demonstration of diffraction that allows data to be logged and entered into the spreadsheet. (DDR)