Presents an alternative method for measuring the electronic charge using data from the electrolysis of acidified distilled water. The process (carried out in a commercially available electrolytic cell) has the advantage of short completion time so that students can determine electron charge and mass in one laboratory period. (DH)

Presents an experiment to study the acceleration of a cart moving up and down an inclined plane. Demonstrates how multitiming and the study of the movement in both directions allows the determination of the component of gravitational force along an inclined plane without any assumptions about friction. (JRH)

Describes systems used to introduce students to the concept of torque and discusses the effects that puzzle the beginner in the introductory lab. (JRH)

Discusses progress made over the last two decades concerning the synthesis and possible unification of the three interactions (strong, electromagnetic, gravitational) relevant to high energy experiments. Areas addressed include quantum field theories, a unified quantum field theory, connection with cosmology, and possibilities for further…

Describes a simple, inexpensive system that allows students to have hands-on contact with simple experiments involving forces generated by induced currents. Discusses the use of a dynamic force sensor in making quantitative measurements of the forces generated. (JRH)

Describes and explains some aspects of the motion of a top, the extreme end of which is made round, spinning on surfaces provided with friction. (Author/GA)

Explains that some metal springs have an initial tension that must be overcome before using the F=kx relationship (Hooke's Law) for experimental calculations in the physics laboratory. (WRM)

Describes experiments simulating the mechanics of the human elbow and back. (SL)

Describes an introductory physics experiment concerned with scattering particles off various force centers. The experiment uses simulation techniques and a computer. The scattering is classical, and the student examines plots of computed particle trajectories. The results illustrate the concepts of differential corss-section, total cross-section,…

Discusses electric and magnetic forces between parallel-wire conductors and derives, in a simple fashion, order of magnitude estimates of the ratio of the likely electrostatic and electromagnetic forces for a simple parallel-wire balance. (Author/HM)

Describes equipment used for a magnetic force experiment that is capable of producing precise results but rugged enough to withstand handling by several hundred undergraduate students per year. (WRM)

Derives the precessional period of a Foucault pendulum without using small oscillation amplitudes. Shows that if the path of the pendulum passes through the origin, the periods for differing amplitudes are essentially the same. (GA)

Explains a projectile motion experiment involving a bow and arrow. Procedures to measure "muzzle" velocity, bow elastic potential energy, range, flight time, wind resistance, and masses are considered. (DH)