Describes an apparatus for demonstrating the second law of motion. Provides sample data and discusses the merits of this method over traditional methods of supplying a constant force. The method produces empirical best-fit lines which convincingly demonstrate that for a fixed mass, acceleration is proportional to force. (DDR)

Describes Bernoulli's equation and Poiseuille's equation for fluid dynamics. Discusses the application of the combined Bernoulli-Poiseuille equation in real flows, such as viscous flows under gravity and acceleration. (YP)

Discusses student difficulties in problem solving. Presents a structured approach to one-dimensional constant acceleration problems. Provides researcher's experience including an example problem, advantages of the approach, and student responses with two illustrations of problem solving. (YP)

Presents experiments that use the Mattel's Hot Wheels Top Speed toy set to show that work is a measure of energy transferred to or from a system. (JRH)

Presents three methods for obtaining experimental data related to acceleration of a simple pendulum. Two of the methods involve angular position measurements and the subsequent calculation of the acceleration while the third method involves a direct measurement of the acceleration. Compares these results with theoretical calculations and…

Describes the physics of what happens when a single vehicle rolls over on its side during the process of turning in an arc. (JRH)

Provides six problems to help students understand new concepts of force using situations they already understand concerning velocity, acceleration, and momentum. (MVL)

Combines the PASCO Free Fall Adapter with a homemade timing sensor. Provides hints for successful operation of the timer and the Atwood Machine. (MVL)

Traces cosmogonic history of solar system from Laplace's hypothesis of revolving gas nebulae, to Newton's two-body problem with its mathematical impossibility of gravitational capture, to the isosceles three-body problem of Schmidt and Sitnikov with its notion of partial capture, and finally to the total capture model of Alexeyev verified by the…

Situations describing Einstein's Equivalence Principle phrased in prerelativistic Newtonian concepts are presented. (KR)

When a rotating figure skater's fully extended arms are pulled back toward the torso, the angular velocity is noticeably increased and the kinetic energy of the skater can also be shown to increase. Discusses the change of the kinetic energy during such a process, and the work necessary for such an increase is derived using a dynamic equilibrium…

Describes tried and tested methods for introducing vectors and addressing the topics of centripetal acceleration and vector and scalar products to secondary physics students. (Author/WRM)

Presents the summary section of the American Physical Society (APS) report on the safety features of the light-water reactor, reviews the design, construction, and operation of a reactor and outlines the primary engineered safety features. Summarizes the major recommendations of the study group. (GS)

Several universities and a national laboratory are cooperating to study new extremely unstable radioactive nuclei. Descriptions of several projects, facilities, and activities are given. (RH)