Describes an inexpensive photo transistor timing system, apparatus for measuring muzzle velocity, and an apparatus for exposing modes of coupled oscillators. (SL)

Described are several experiments, for a course in geometrical optics or for a college physics laboratory, which have a bearing on ophthalmic optics. Experiments include the single thin prism, crossed prisms, and the prismatic power of a lens. (Author/DS)

Presents three notes on new equipment, techniques, or materials of interest to teachers of physics. (HM)

Describes an undergraduate experiment designed to verify quantitatively the effect of a dielectric fluid's dielectric constant on the observed wavelength of microwave radiation propagating through the fluid. The fluid used is castor oil, and results agree with the expected behavior within 5 percent. (Author/CS)

Describes an interdisciplinary microcomputer and microelectronics program offered jointly by the Physics and Computer Science Departments of East Texas State University. The program operates on both the graduate and undergraduate level. Content as well as structure of the program are discussed. (Author/DS)

Examines the observations and experiments conducted in the 18th century to detect and measure light pressure. The reception of these results reveals another scientific strategy besides confirmation and refutation, namely, estimation of parameters. (Author/GS)

Describes several simple experiments that can be used to observe directly the dispersion curve of plasmon surface polaritons (PSP) on flat metal surfaces. A method is described of observing the increonental change in the wave vector of the PSP due to coatings that differ in thickness by a few nanometers. (Author/CS)

Describes an inexpensive device for students to measure Planck's constant using the photoelectric effect. (SL)

Describes a compact and inexpensive permanent magnet assembly, well-suited for educational NMR-ESR demonstrations, field use, and possible space flight applications. (Author/CS)

Introduces an experiment that can be demonstrated in the classroom to show that shear waves, Rayleigh waves, and Lamb waves can be easily generated and observed by means of mode conversion. (Author/CS)

Describes an alternate method of demonstrating thin film interference fringes with a laser by using a microscope slide glass cover. (MKR)

Describes a procedure that allows undergraduate students to determine the approximate age of the universe using their own data. The experiment requires a relatively small telescope with a modest spectrograph. Includes sample data and calculations. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes an experiment based on Faraday's one-piece generator, where the rotating disk is replaced by a cylindrical permanent magnet. Explains the apparent paradox that an observer in an inertial frame could measure his absolute velocity. (GA)

Describes an apparatus that offers a very lucid demonstration of Poisson statistics as applied to electrical currents, and the manner in which such statistics account for shot noise when applied to macroscopic currents. The experiment described is intended for undergraduate physics students. (HM)