Presents an experiment which focuses on the inertial properties of a rigid body as expressed in terms of principal axes and moments of inertia. Background information, a description of the apparatus needed, and a discussion of results obtained are included. (JN)

Discusses the relationship of gravity, coefficient of friction, surface area, and Newton's second law to explain the physics involved in downhill skiers being able to move faster than sky divers in free fall. (JM)

Written at the student level, wave functions in a single dimension are discussed. Wave functions considered included: (1) linear; (2) wiggle-functions; and (3) dying exponentials. (JN)

Describes a precise yet simple method for computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a symmetric matrix useful in teaching quantum mechanics. (SK)

Presents a model for the Slinky that allows for calculations that agree with observed behavior and predictions that suggest further experimentation. Offers an opportunity for introducing nonrigid bodies within the Galilean framework. (JRH)

Describes a science activity that involves dropping weighted strings from a second floor window or the top row of gymnasium bleachers. The activity, which takes only a few seconds, helps students understand the physics concepts of speed, acceleration, and terminal velocity. (TJQ)

Considers using a football game to provide a group activity on physics reasoning. Groups determine how long the coin toss was in the air, distance of kickoff, velocity of ball leaving the tee, maximum height of ball, force applied to the ball when passed by the quarterback, etc. Provides possible solutions to each question. (MVL)

Provides a problem where students are asked to find the point at which a soda can floating in some liquid changes its equilibrium between stable and unstable as the soda is removed from the can. Requires use of Newton's first law, center of mass, Archimedes' principle, stable and unstable equilibrium, and buoyant force position. (MVL)

Discusses the application of the rule of allowing the car in front to have a two-second lead. Notes that as speed doubles, stopping distances increase by four. Provides a table of stopping distances including reaction distance, braking distance, total stopping distance, and two-second rule distance. (MVL)

Presents a discussion concerning the results of a pretest question on what holds up the moon. Places the resulting answers into eight categories and describes some of the common misconceptions. (MVL)

This publication is one of a series of information booklets for the general public published by The United States Atomic Energy Commission. Among the topics discussed are: Importance of Fusion Energy; Conditions for Nuclear Fusion; Thermonuclear Reactions in Plasmas; Plasma Confinement by Magnetic Fields; Experiments With Plasmas; High-Temperature…

This is an Energy Research and Development Administration pamphlet outlining in detail the many aspects involved in safe transportation of all types of nuclear materials. The detailed safety regulations and designs of various shipping packages and containers are emphasized. Included are maps of waste burial sites and fuel production facilities, an…

Discusses plasma as a source of energy through nuclear fission processes, as well as the difficulties encountered in such a process. States that 99 percent of the matter in the universe is plasma, and only 1 percent is the common three states of matter. Describes the fundamental properties of plasma, plasma "pinch, and plasma oscillations. (RR)