Describes a personalized system of instruction that has been tried in India and its advantages. Shows that students' responses were favorable to this type of instructional approach. (GA)

Discusses the use of a set of computer programs (FORTRAN IV) in an introductory mechanics course for science majors. One laboratory activity is described for determining the coefficient of restitution of a glider on an air track. A student evaluation for the lab is included in the appendix. (Author/TS)

Experiments are designed with application to phenomena of the real world for use in a third-quarter introductory college physics course in wave motion, sound, and light. The computer is used to process and analyze experimental data and to extend experimental observations through simulation. (Author/TS)

The objectives and methods of a free undergraduate laboratory are set forth. The main features are a close connection between the students and the research groups, a large amount of student freedom and responsibility, and no grading of the students. (Author/TS)

A game simulating an Einstein model of a crystal producing a Boltzmann distribution. Computer-made films present the results with large distributions showing heat flow and some applications to entropy. (TS)

Examines the factors influencing the premedical requirements in physics. Reviews the various reasons why physics is important in medical education and discusses the new Medical College Admission Test. (Author/GA)

Describes a technique that uses a helium neon laser, a steel rule, a wooden rule, and a piece of paper to measure the diameter of a hair using the diffraction of light. Details on technique, mathematics, and sources of error are provided. (DDR)

Reports on an investigation of student understanding of the first law of thermodynamics. Involves students from a first-year university physics course and a second-year thermal physics course. Focuses on the ability of students to relate the first law to the adiabatic physics course. Discusses implications for thermal physics and mechanics…

Reports on a long-term, large-scale study of a one-semester, conceptually-based, introductory astronomy course with data from more than 400 students over three semesters at the University of New Mexico. Finds that novice students show large, positive gains on assessments of conceptual understanding and connected understanding of the knowledge…

Argues that it is advantageous to adopt a more modern approach that systematically builds on students' knowledge of the atomic structure of matter and elementary mechanics. (Author/CCM)

Describes the electronic circuitry which can be used to demonstrate the buildups of Poisson distributions with very high precision. Analysis of the data obtained is included in the paper. (CP)

This is one of a series of Resource Letters on different topics intended to guide college physicists, astronomers, and other scientists to some of the literature and other teaching aids that may help improve course contents in specified fields. (Author/CP)