Discusses the role, importance, and benefits of performing demonstrations in physics. Suggests that actual demonstrations are more valuable than those presented on films or videotapes. (SK)

Presents the author's viewpoints on the role, benefits, and mechanics of performing physics demonstrations. Suggests that teachers keep a demonstration file. Indicates that demonstrations can be set up in showcases or in hallways. (SK)

Surveys the research of scientists like Joule, Kelvin, Maxwell, Clausius, and Boltzmann as it comments on the basic conceptual issues involved in the development of a more precise kinetic theory and the idea of a kinetic atom. (Author/SK)

Presents a theory concerning the orbital spacing of patterns in the solar system. The orbital distributions of the planets and major satellite systems are fitted with a Bode-type form. Accordingly, the Saturnian system requires vacant orbitals if the best fit is to have an accuracy comparable to that of other systems. (Author/GA)

Discusses the two-capacitor problem by considering the self-inductance of the circuit used and by determining how well the usual series RC circuit approximates the two-capacitor problem when realistic values of L, C, and R are chosen. (GA)

Presented is a discussion of the confusion among students, scientists, and the general public over the meaning of the term "weight." (BB)

Describes a laboratory activity which can be done with equipment normally available for introductory college courses. It measures the ratio of the radioactivity per unit mass of a unicellular alga to the radioactivity per unit mass of the medium in which it grows. (HM)

Discusses the readability of some selected school physics textbooks and examination papers. It also presents three factors that affect readability: (1) Interest and motivation; (2) Legibility of print; and (3) Complexity of words and sentences. (HM)

Discusses how an individual's visual system processes cues to motion in depth. A theoretical model of the operations of the visual system that underlie the perception of motion in depth is included. (HM)

Describes a simple seismograph which can be built quite easily and is sufficiently sensitive to record earthquake waves at home. (HM)

Discusses the probable changes in public attitudes toward science and technology as a result of the engineering accidents of 1979. Results of national polls conducted to identify public confidence in technological progress are included. (HM)

Presents results of a study suggesting that prior mathematical ability is a primary influence on performance in an introductory, preprofessional physics course and that it has a secondary influence on the tendency of college students to drop out of the course. (CS)

Presents listings of selected reference materials relevant to symmetry and group theory in college physics and chemistry. Entries are classified according to a scheme involving 34 subject areas divided into four major groups. Comments on these materials and suggestions for future topics will be welcomed. (Author/SK)

Presents an experiment on the bending of light in a medium with a continuously varying index of refraction. Several theoretical approaches for the analysis of this experiment, designed for college physics students, are also presented. (HM)

Describes an advanced undergraduate physics experiment which permits the measurement of ultrasound velocity and absorption in liquid systems. A description of the tasks the student is expected to perform is also included. (HM)