Suggests an approach to teaching vectors that promotes active learning through challenging questions addressed to the class, as opposed to subtle explanations. Promotes introducing vector graphics with concrete examples, beginning with an explanation of the displacement vector. Also discusses artificial vectors, vector algebra, and unit vectors.…

Proposes that more cost-effective physics teaching could be achieved if methods of teaching and learning were substantially revised from the point of view of the desired objectives and if teachers recognized the need for continuing professional development in this area. Also recommends more student self-assessment, both as an economical measure…

Describes the evolution of the seven major physics syllabi used in all secondary schools in China and analyzes the shifts of these syllabi in terms of objectives, content, instructional hours and teaching methods. Suggests changes for China's future secondary-physics education, including the need for modern experimental equipment such as computers…

Analyzes physical features of breath-hold diving. Considers the diver's descent and the initial surface dive and presents examples that show the diver's buoyancy equilibrium varying with depth, the driving force supplied by finning, and the effect of friction between the water and the diver. (Author/JRH)

Describes Chua's circuit, a simple electronic circuit that can be used to demonstrate many of the important features of nonlinear dynamical systems. (Author/JRH)

Used an open-ended response survey to elicit first-year physics student's ideas on the nature of physics and how to study it. Describes the categories that were identified by a phenomenographic methodology and discusses the distribution of responses across the categories. Discusses issues that emerged and implications for the practice of teaching…

Discusses four main types of medical imaging (x-ray, radionuclide, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance) and considers their relative merits. Describes important recent and possible future developments in image processing. (Author/MKR)

Explains how x-ray doses to patients are measured. Describes how different techniques expose patients to differing amounts of ionizing radiation. Compares these figures with other natural and man-made sources. (Author/MKR)

Describes principles involved in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (MKR)

Describes the physics of Doppler ultrasound used in measuring the velocity of blood flow. Discusses medical applications of this technique. (Author/MKR)

Discusses the field of nuclear medicine. (MKR)

Very sensitive SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) detectors are used in the technique known as magnetoencephalography to provide dynamic images of the brain. This can help our fundamental understanding of the way the brain works and may be of particular use in treating disorders such as epilepsy. (Author/MKR)

Soap bubbles excited using a vibration generator can be used to model the formation of a diatomic molecule because of their analogous properties to atomic orbitals. (Author)

Questions whether didactic methods employed for teaching physics at the advanced level can adequately match the variety of needs of students in the contemporary context. Offers a framework for promoting a style of teaching that is responsive and versatile. Contains 14 references. (Author/JRH)

Discusses a teaching strategy for introducing quantum ideas into the school classroom using modern devices. Develops the concepts of quantization, wave-particle duality, nonlocality, and tunneling. (JRH)