Explains how a toy called "Sound Bites" can be modified to demonstrate the transmission of sound waves. Students can hear music from the toy when they press it against any bone in their heads or shoulders. (WRM)

Presents the physical assumptions and mathematical expressions necessary to derive a fourth-order differential equation that describes the vibration of a particular car antenna. Contends that while students may not be able to derive or use the equation, they should be able to appreciate a guided derivation as an example of how physics is done.…

Describes an inquiry-based cooperative activity designed to give students a sense of the connection between stellar spectra and temperature. (WRM)

Discusses advantages of a video-based, digitized image system for the study and analysis of projectile motion in the physics laboratory. Describes the implementation of a web-based digitized video system. (WRM)

Describes a method for visually demonstrating resonance in a wine glass on an overhead projector. Provides instructions for making a "howling" wine glass where two slightly different tones separated by an irritating interval sound alternately. (WRM)

Discusses introductory polarized light measurements in which a diode laser pointer replaces the more frequently used polarized helium-neon laser. (WRM)

Describes an alternative set-up for demonstrating Lenz's Law in which the magnet can be seen during its fall. (WRM)

Describes a way of performing the classic oil drop experiment in which a CCD video camera replaces the eyepiece of the microscope, reducing measurement error to approximately 7%. (WRM)

Describes an activity that explores the relationship between the impulse and the distance traveled by a projectile. (WRM)

Discusses a modification of and explanation for a common demonstration in which a stick and a ball dropped at the same time from the same height are shown to land at different times. (WRM)

Describes how to build a home-made pitching machine that can be used as a ball launcher in physics class. (WRM)

Explains how "Downy Ball" fabric softener dispensers can be used to demonstrate Newton's First Law in physics class. (WRM)

Discusses the history of the development of Newton's Law of Cooling. Describes an experiment conducted in the kitchen that is designed to test the rate of cooling of a hot block of iron. Finds that Newton's law does not represent very well the mechanism of heat loss. (Contains over 10 references.) (WRM)

Mathematically explains why the range of a projectile is most insensitive to aiming errors when the initial angle is close to 45 degrees, whereas other observables such as maximum height or flight time are most insensitive for near-vertical launching conditions. (WRM)

Presents guidelines for stocking, organizing, and maintaining a storage space for physics education laboratory and demonstration equipment. (WRM)