Provides information concerning the Boltzmann distribution mentioning partition functions, spectroscopy, basic mathematics, and its relation to temperature distribution. (CS)

Derives an expression for the orientational entropy of a rigid rod (electric dipole) from Boltzmann's equation. Subsequent application of Newton's second law of motion produces Debye's classical expression for the relaxation of an electric dipole in a viscous medium. (Author/GS)

Describes how Gibbs valley graphs can clarify the relation between the Gibbs function and chemical equilibrium. Gives examples from gas phase equilibria. (CS)

Describes the specifics of instruction in thermodynamics using a problem-solving technique introduced in a previous issue of this journal. (CS)

Suggests that Robert Frost's poem entitled "West-Running Brook" should be used to illustrate the second law of thermodynamics. The poem is included in the article. (ZWH)

Presents a method to measure the mass of a definite amount of a gas that occupies a known volume at a given pressure in order to determine experimentally the root mean square speed of molecules of a gas. (JRH)

Describes a simple manual apparatus designed to serve as an effective demonstration of the differences between isothermal and adiabatic processes for the general or elementary physics student. Enables students to verify Boyle's law for slow processes and identify the departure from this law for rapid processes and can also be used to give a clear…

An undergraduate experiment is described which employs a relaxation method for the measurement of the thermal conductivity and specific heat of a metallic sample in a temperature range of 0-100 degrees centigrade. (Author/CP)

Lists several ideas for experiments for the amateur scientist to try or design. The list covers a wide range of topics; sound, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, optics, and electrostatics. (GA)

Scientists often use the "slingshot effect" (also called the "gravity assist") of the gravitational field of a planet to increase or decrease the velocity of a spacecraft. Examples of this effect, puzzling aspects, a qualitative explanation, details of necessary calculations, a thermodynamic analogy, and other topics are discussed. (JN)

Understanding and teaching about the environmental predicaments of humankind starts with four basic ideas: (1) the world population; (2) world resources; (3) biogeochemical cycles; and (4) thermodynamics. Each of these basic ideas is discussed. (JN)

Discussed are the calculations of heats of combustions of some selected fossil fuel compounds such as some foreign shale oils and United States coals. Heating values for coal- and petroleum-derived fuel oils are also presented. (HM)

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment which demonstrates the principles of solution calorimetry and the entropy titration technique. (CS)

Presented are two problem exercises involving rapid compression and expansion of ideal gases which illustrate the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The first problem involves the conversion of gravitational energy into heat through mechanical work. The second involves the mutual interaction of two gases through an adiabatic piston. (BT)