摘要:

By the late eighteenth century, women wrote books popularizing the major scientific advances of the times. From even an earlier stage, women translated popular science books, many written especially for the “use of the Ladies.” From Aphra Behn’s translation of Fontenelle’s famousEntretiens sur la Pluralité des Mondesin 1686 to Mary Somerville's 1831 lucid exposition in English of Laplace's well-known book,The Mechanism of the Heavens, translation moved gradually toward professional scientific exposition. Who were these women and what sparked their interest in science? How had they acquired the knowledge necessary to translate science books? The aim of this article is to shed some light on a little known area of women's activities—the translation of science books—and to show their contribution to the diffusion of the scientific knowledge.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880123

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In this introductory physics laboratory exercise, students are introduced to the use of vectors to describe a trajectory. Students produce written descriptions of these trajectories which are then used by other students to reconstruct the trajectory. The original and reproduction trajectory can then be compared and the sources of error discussed and evaluated.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880124

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In this second Physics Olympics column, we present a staple of many Olympics competitions—a “Do-Ahead” experiment that is prepared in the classroom and brought to the Olympics. “The Pringle Caper” was designed by Steve Cremer, physics teacher from the Braintree (Massachusetts) high school. We include one such activity at each Eastern Massachusetts Physics Olympics meet. Among other pluses, the “Do-Ahead” allows students who are unable to travel to the Olympics to participate.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880138

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Physics test questions are often based on models which have limits of applicability. In supplying data for these questions the instructor must be careful not to stray outside the limits of the model. Several examples of poor data selection are given.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880125

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This study explores student performance on a simple hands-on activity commonly referred to as “batteries and bulbs.” A large population of introductory calculus-based physics students formed the subject group. Special consideration was given to gender differences in success rates.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880126

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The minds of physicists are curious things, populated by multitudes of weird and wonderful creatures with wild names bearing meaning only to physicists. In this odd world, we meet Red Giants, Black Holes, Dwarves, and Quarks.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880127

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In the next few years it will be possible to make maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) with sufficient resolution to determine the type of Universe in which we live. The MAP (NASA) and Planck (ESA) Satellites will shed new light on such fundamental questions as whether we live in an open or closed Universe, whether there is a cosmological vacuum energy density (Λ), and the precise amount of dark matter. The key to decoding the information contained within this primordial radiation hinges upon the accurate determination of the power spectrum of its temperature variations at angular scales of a few arc minutes to one degree. Althoug! ! h data from these satellites will not be available for a decade or so, students can now run their own simulations of CMB maps and power spectra on personal computer, using theoretical models.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880137

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.1527622

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The response time of a thermometer is governed by Newton’s law of cooling. The time constant is analogous to that of electrical RC circuits. The response time of a thermometer is, however, critically dependent upon the coefficient of convective heat transfer of the (liquid) medium being measured. This places the thermometer in a unique category among measuring instruments.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880128

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

When an object is partially immersed and inclined in the water, the shadow of the object seen on the bottom of the container appears to be broken in two distinct parts or blown up in correspondence of the immersion line. The effect is very simple to show and observations and discussions could be developed in the classroom about surface tensions, wettability, and optics.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.880129

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP