Discussed are the advantages and disadvantages of two different philosophical approaches, academic or traditional versus experimental, to the laboratory instruction of undergraduate physics students. The defects, failures, and limitations of each approach are detailed. (BT)

Demonstrations of Boyle's Law and of the relationship of gauge pressure and atmospheric pressure are presented. (BB)

Techniques for digitalizing analog signal data are presented and compared. The techniques presented are: boxcar averaging, ensemble averaging, unweighted digital filter, weighted digital filter, and analog filter. (BB)

Describes a classification test that uses a sodium nitroprusside reagent to identify aliphatic and aryl amines. (MLH)

Describes the construction of an inexpensive column for gel filtration and results of experiments suitable for undergraduate biochemistry students. (MLH)

Describes laboratory techniques designed to familiarize students with meiosis and how microscopic preparations of meiosis are made. These techniques require the use of fresh or fixed flowers. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Provides details of experiments that deal with the use of operational amplifiers and are part of a course in instrumental analysis. These experiments are performed after the completion of a set of electricity and electronics experiments. (DDR)

Presents results of a controlled experiment comparing the conceptual mechanics learning gains as measured by the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) between two laboratory groups. One group completed cookbook labs while the other completed Interactive-Engagement (IE) labs in RealTime Physics. Suggests that laboratory activities should engage students in…

Presents experiments that introduce natural product chemistry into high school classrooms. In the laboratory activities, students isolate and analyze the oil in orange peels. Students also perform a steam distillation and learn about terpenes. (DDR)

A demonstration related to current transport through a superconductor is presented. The principle of the experiment, procedures for the demonstration, and technical data are provided. (CW)

A room-temperature demonstration of a floating magnet using a high-temperature superconductor is described. The setup and operation of the apparatus are described. The technical details of the effect are discussed. (CW)

The synthesis of 4-acetylbiphenyl on a semimicroscale for use as an organic laboratory exercise is described. Materials, experimental procedures, and results are discussed. Sample NMR spectra used in the resulting analysis are provided. (CW)

Introduces and describes the Laboratory Procedure Module (LPM) modified from a task analysis approach used by laboratory technical training programs based on instructional system design model. Overviews the LPM design, including primary goal, enabling objectives, task steps, overview, demonstration, written test, practice, and procedural…

Using fourier transformation methods in nuclear magnetic resonance has made possible increased sensitivity in chemical analysis. This article describes these methods as they relate to magnetization, the RF magnetic field, nuclear relaxation, the RF pulse, and free induction decay. (CW)

Presented is a set of procedures designed to check the design, ergonomics, illumination, function, optics, accessory equipment, and image quality of a microscope being considered for purchase. Functions for use in a petrology or mineralogy laboratory are stressed. (CW)