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)

Describes a method in which metals can be identified by the direction of the e.m.f. generated when the junctions in a circuit containing two dissimiliar metals are at different temperatures. (MLH)

Describes four demonstrations of the Leidenfrost phenomenon; floating of liquid drops on their own vapor above a hot surface, delayed quenching of red-hot brass by water, explosion of vessels containing suspended liquid droplets, and momentary incombustibility of living tissue immersed in boiling oil. (Author/GA)

Discusses changes in the crystal structure of iron and steel when these materials are heated. Focuses on observations related to an experiment in which a 60-inch length of piano wire (No. 29 steel wire) is heated and then cooled. (JN)

Presents numismatic experiments that cover a range of topics that tie physical science and chemistry to society and history. Discusses measuring length; measuring mass; metals, alloys, and amalgams; reactivity of metals and electrochemistry; reactions of metals with acids; money to burn; magnetic properties of coins; inertia; refraction;…

Presents experiments to measure the velocity of sound through metals and other amorphous materials. Describes the equipment used to make the measurements and the possibility of interfacing with a microcomputer. (MDH)

Examines the extent and nature of Year 10 students' model-based reasoning in a laboratory investigation that considered the influence of six factors on electrical resistance. Finds that spontaneous use of the electron-drift model of metals in explanations increased over the duration of the task, but the explanations were restricted to mainly…