Lasers are useful for demonstrating ray optics, especially in large classrooms where a well-defined, easily-viewed ray is essential. Described is a simple device that converts any laser to a projection oscilloscope (or laser spirograph). Suggestions for using the device (including demonstrating Lissajous figures and conic sections) are provided.…

Contends that the nature of physics has been misrepresented by blurring or ignoring important distinctions between "errors" and "discrepancies" and that dealing with these and related problems can improve students' enjoyment of labs and understanding of physics. Nature of physics, role of experiments, experimental errors, and error analysis are…

Describes laboratory procedures, demonstrations, and classroom materials, including "diet poker" (nutrition game); an experiment on enzyme characteristics; demonstrations of yeast anaerobic respiration and color preference in Calliphora larvae; method to extract eugenol from clove oil to show antibiotic properties; and Benedict's test.…

Discusses dice model of exponential radionuclide decay; glancing and collinear perfectly elastic collisions; digital capacitance meter; use of top pan balance in physics; microcomputer calculation of gradient of straight line (includes complete Commodore PET computer program); Fresnel lenses; low-voltage radiant heater; Wheatssone's bridge used as…

Discusses advantages of using an estuarine environment as a study area for A-level students and reviews organizational considerations. Details and references regarding a variety of suitable techniques are provided along with examples of results obtained by students at Waltham Forest College. (Author/DC)

Describes a collection of college chemistry demonstrations designed for self-paced classes. Some of these exercises stem from original ideas; others are adaptations of one or more published demonstrations. Two exercises, as examples, are also included. (HM)

Offers the opinion that the creative and imaginative dimension of chemistry can be added in chemistry instruction through the acknowledgement of ambiguity in experimentation and science history. (CS)

Describes experiments which can be completed in five four-hour laboratory sessions, including two synthesis (alpha-phenylbutyric and alpha-phenylbutyric acid anhydride) and determining the absolute stereochemistry of secondary alcohols using the synthetic products. (JN)

Describes an experiment as an alternative to undergraduate experiments limited to high temperature metal systems or lower temperature systems involving objectionable or unstable materials. Lists six advantages of the experiment. (Author/JN)

Describes the phenomenological and microscopic aspects of solid-state diffusion in an electric field and presents a Monte Carlo method which is used to stimulate an atomistic model of diffusion in an electric field. The Nernst-Einstein relation is also discussed. (HM)

Describes an experiment in which acetaminophen is converted into phenacetin, that has been used at Shepherd College in an introductory chemistry course for nurses and in the organic chemistry laboratory. (BT)

The use of microcomputers in the undergraduate chemistry laboratory is presented. Examples are included which can be implemented in the PET 2001. (SA)

Described is a one-week summer chemistry workshop held at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania, for secondary school students. Experiments and evaluation results of the workshops are provided. (HM)

Describes the details of constructing, and use of, a solar collector. Uses a black liquid to absorb the energy, the thermosyphon effect to drive the liquid through the collector, and a floodlamp as a surrogate sun. (GA)

Describes a spot test experiment, designed for use in the undergraduate laboratory, that has been adopted to follow the progress of coupling reactions. (BT)