The tendency of a poured liquid to cling to the outside of a container is known as the "teapot effect." The nature of the teapot effect and experiments investigating this phenomenon are described. (JN)

Discusses the physics behind making ice cream in a hand-cranked ice cream maker. Ingredients in the maker are cooled and hardened by a bath of ice, water, and rock salt. Several experiments to investigate the variables involved in preparing the ice cream (and related desserts) are included. (JN)

Discusses the acoustics of bells by examining what determines the quality of a bell, the frequency it emits, and the note perceived by the listener. The analysis concentrates on a ship's bell but also considers several handbells. Laboratory bench set up for studying bells and nodal lines of bells are illustrated. (BC)

Presents a nonmathematical approach to help students understand that there are two types of coherence and to associate coherence as a property of the illumination at an object itself. The approach also lends itself to an introduction to the Fourier approach for analyzing imaging systems. (JN)

This short article consists of some thoughts derived from a longer paper (Palmer, 1992), together with some more recent ideas. I became interested in buckminsterfullerene (Buckyballs) as a result of an E-Mail discussion of the topic in 1991. The chemistry of buckyballs is now evolving very rapidly and is gradually creeping into school…

Discusses a laboratory exercise simulating the paths of light rays through spherical water drops by applying principles of ray optics and geometry. Describes four parts: determining the output angles, computer simulation, explorations, model testing, and solutions. Provides a computer program and some diagrams. (YP)

A thermal oscillator is a self-sustained, nonlinear oscillating system. One part of the system vibrates continuously because of the transfer of heat. Four such devices, two new and two demonstrated in the 19th century are described. Although each depends on the periodic redistribution of heat, they are all quite different. (Author/JN)

Discusses the missing water on Mars. Describes five experiments simulating conditions on Mars: (1) behavior of dry ice; (2) low-pressure vacuum; (3) freezing point depression; (4) water in hydrated minerals and clay; and (5) properties of carbon dioxide. (YP)

Described is a procedure for assessment of student performance in laboratory work (practical work) in Advanced Level Biology in England. Some historical background is included. (PB)

Provides a running commentary on a chemistry instructor's first day in a first course in chemistry. Focuses on the use of fire and chemists' attempts to explain this phenomenon. Provides the ongoing descriptions of the experiments, a summary of the observations, and the key comments made by the instructor. (TW)