Describes the principal modules of analog electronic music synthesizers and discusses some ways that a synthesizer has been used in demonstrations, in psychophysical experiments, and in an undergraduate laboratory course in the physics of music and acoustics. Considers the synthesis of both steady and transitory auditory phenomena. (Author/MLH)

Describes a device which employs two diffraction gratings and three or four simple lenses to produce arbitrary absorption or emission spectra that may be doppler shifted and spectroscopically examined by students some distance away. It may be regarded as a sort of artificial star whose spectrum may be analyzed as an undergraduate laboratory…

Intended as a guide to some of the literature and other teaching aids that may help improve course content; this article covers elementary particle research utilizing accelerators in the 50-1000 MeV range. (MLH)

Describes two simple, economic timers suitable for measuring time intervals with fractional millisecond resolution in physics experiments. (MLH)

Describes a method for modifying a four-function pocket calculator so that it can be used as a pulse counter. (SL)

Describes a program which can be written to represent stellar motion in the galactic plane. (CP)

Describes a design for a pendulum that can demonstrate the dependence of period on amplitude. Common laboratory supplies are used for construction, and timing is done with a stopwatch. (MLH)

Discusses the use of an analog computer oscilloscope to illustrate the transition from underdamped to overdamped for the simple harmonic oscillator, the maximum range for a projectile, and the behavior of charged particles in crossed electric and magnetic fields. (MLH)

Describes a computer-based homework grading system that accepts a constructed response by the student, multiple attempts, generation of new data for each student, records of performance, and provision of some feedback about answers. (Author/CP)

Explains the laboratory techniques and equipment necessary for the demonstrations. (CP)

Describes the construction of simple microwave sources of centimeter wavelength with bulk-effect diodes, and accessory equipment for experiments and demonstrations in physical optics. (MLH)

Presents information on a centrifugal force apparatus, signal averaging with a minicomputer, and the use of an air track. (MLH)

Describes the design, construction, and performance of a low-cost, transversely excited molecular nitrogen laser. Suggests simple experiments and demonstrations using this laser. (MLH)

Describes three dialog programs which have been used in introductory astronomy classes. The magnitude system, Kepler's third law, and the scientific method are the program topics. (CP)