Reviews several research studies helpful for further examining Piaget's ideas and their applicability to physics teaching. Indicates that care must be taken with devices designed to measure cognitive ability. (Author/SK)

Discusses the trigonometric or heliocentric parallax method of measuring distances to the stars. A description of how parallax distances are derived, the importance of this method, and the limitations of this method are also included. (DS)

Large lecture sections of science staffed by a single instructor make it impossible to provide individual student attention and lead to high dropout and failure rates. Daily assignments are used to encourage students to identify areas that need remediation, maintain a steady study pace, receive positive reinforcement, and learn methods of solving…

Discusses laboratory investigations designed to allow students to solve problems without using predetermined mathematical formulas. As a result, laboratory problems force students to think. In addition, some students formulate their own mathematical relationships and enhance their understanding of the connection between mathematics and…

In light of criticism leveled at secondary school programs, the teaching of physics is examined in the context of successes, failures, and opportunity for improvement. Discussion proceeds under three main headings: the context of physics teaching; curriculum content and materials; and the teaching-learning process. (Author/RE)

This article shows that, by applying the Hellman-Feynman theorem alone to screened Coulomb potentials, the first four coefficients in the energy series in powers of the perturbation parameter can be obtained from the unperturbed Coulomb system. (Author/HM)

Discusses the nature of the impurity modes in a monatomic chain employing a molecular mode. This approach brings out clearly the characteristics of the inband, localized, and resonant modes of substitutions impurities in crystals. (Author/HM)

Describes a method to determine the thermal diffusivity of a polymer, which is suitable for the undergraduate laboratory. It serves as a practical demonstration of classical Fourier theory. (Author/HM)

Included is information regarding: fabrication of light emitting diodes, their operation as semiconductors, and an experiment demonstrating electroluminescence; experimenting with Random Access Memory (RAM) circuits; demonstrating Coriolis effect; measuring the diameter of an electron beam, E.H.T. meters; launching a trolley by catapult; a "random…

Formative evaluation of a physics curriculum unit (PLON) is reported. Phase one used general ideas and many instruments; phase two focused on specific questions arising from phase one. Findings suggested that relating curriculum content to ability to think about and explain a task was a prerequisite for student satisfaction. (CP)

Describes a general purpose algorithm which enables one to calculate the allowed energy eigenvalues for an arbitrary potential. Results of a calculation where a centrifugal potential is added to the hydrogenic Coulomb potential are discussed. (Author/HM)

Describes the use of transistors instead of valves for Lecher line and radiation demonstrations. Two oscillator circuits which provide power for Lecher line use are described. Impedance of Lecher line is also discussed. (HM)

It is shown that exact pseudopotentials for excited states of hydrogen atoms can be derived. A very simple, novel application of pseudopotential method which displays vividly some of its limitations is presented. (Author/GA)

Explains how to use magnetic cylinders on an air table to demonstrate certain atomic structure and vibrational behavior in many face-centered metals like aluminum or copper. (GA)

Details the personal experiences, accumulated over a 25-year teaching career, of a physics teacher at a private boarding school in New England. (BT)