Describes a "no-cost" apparatus designed to demonstrate rotational inertia. Also describes and evaluates a microprocessor-based instrument (Versatile Laboratory Aid) that performs a large variety of timing and data acquisition tasks encountered in introductory and advanced physics laboratories. (JN)

Describes a recently discovered and translated work by Archimedes in which he constructed a balance to determine the amount of gold in an alloy of gold and silver. A description of the balance (translated verbatim) as found in Archimedes' work "On Balances" is included. (JN)

Describes the basic components of a space telescope that will be launched during a 1986 space shuttle mission. These components include a wide field/planetary camera, faint object spectroscope, high-resolution spectrograph, high-speed photometer, faint object camera, and fine guidance sensors. Data to be collected from these instruments are…

Describes an apparatus which demonstrates the stability of equilibrium of multidimensional objects and helps students to understand the concept of a lever arm. Also describes an alternative to the standard black, mercury "student cell" used as a reference voltage for calibrating a slide-wire potentiometer. (JN)

Recommends an experiment which will help students experience the physical evidence that floors, tables, and walls actually bend when pressure is exerted against them. Set-up includes: laser, radio, solar cell, and wall-mounted mirror. When the beam is moved by pressure on the wall, participants can "hear the wall bend." (DH)

Describes a laboratory investigation designed to analyze surface area to volume ratio related to cell division. Uses agar-gel "cells" with pH indicator added which are then "fed" acid for a measured time. Discusses procedures and materials used, providing a sample data table and important guiding questions. (JM)

Measurement of harmonic amplitude and phase response are discussed, focusing on an instrument used to demonstrate motion of a damped system when oscillating freely and motion of the same system when driven into harmonic oscillation. Includes procedures, sample results, and comparison of results to values calculated from geometry of the system. (JM)

Describes an electronic digital counter, a speed-of-light experiment using a television, a simple out-of-circuit method for determining if a transistor is made of silicon or germanium, and the use of dry cells to power TTL integrated circuits. (MLH)

Describes how high school students used egg cartons to construct an anechoic room for conducting sound experiments in physics. (JR)