摘要:

In 1974–1975, the multiple‐choice sections of both parts of an Advanced Placement (AP) Physics C Examination were given as parts of final examinations to college students completing the appropriate semester of an introductory calculus‐based physics course. Almost 3800 candidates were tested in 15 highly selective colleges. The college students scored on the average about the same as or slightly lower than the AP candidates who also took the same exams and the scores of the college students correlated quite well both with end‐of‐course grades and with rankings of the students’ physics achievement made independently by their instructors. The equivalences between AP and college grades were estimated; both for mechanics and for electricity and magnetism, an AP grade of 4 or 5 was roughly equivalent to a college A, and AP 3 to a college B, and an AP 2 to a college C.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10723

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A simple application of the WKB approximation allows one to establish upper and lower bounds of estimated eigenvalues for cases in which the time‐independent Schrödinger equation is not analytically solvable. The technique developed is applicable to nonsymmetric potentials as well as those with a finite number of discontinuities. The formal technique is most valuable when there is a high density of states and there is danger of missing eigenvalues in the solution. A computer implementation of the technique is presented to facilitate its application.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10724

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The buoyancy force on a particle in a rotating fluid is derived. We have not seen a derivation of this type of buoyancy force elsewhere although it is often presenteddefacto. The buoyancy force in hydrostatics is also rarely derived except for rectangular shapes. We derive it for a sphere.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10725

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The behavior of natural and artificial satellites in the vicinity of the triangular libration points is examined with the aid of computer simulations. The results of a linearized small‐perturbation approximation are compared with the observed orbits. Applications to the Sun–Jupiter and Earth–Moon systems are discussed.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10726

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In this article, we describe a self‐paced, mastery‐oriented introductory physics course which handles an enrollment of 600 students per semester. The format of the course includes some of the features of both the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) and audio–tutorial instruction. We discuss the two‐year transition period from a standard format to the self‐paced format and identify the early problems associated with the new format as well as our solutions to these problems. We also estimate the cost of converting to and maintaining a self‐paced format. We list some of the advantages and disadvantages of the format. Assessment of this self‐paced course, which has now been in full‐scale operation for six years, has been and continues to be positive.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10930

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The orientation and parameters of the orbit of a satellite under an inverse square law of force are obtained by use of the eccentricity vector, equivalent to the Lenz vector, from a typical set of initial conditions.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10729

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Starting from ’’first principles,’’ transport and invariant imbedding equations are derived for one‐dimensional quantum scattering. The connection between the two kinds of equations is established by means of a simple transformation.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10730

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The process of averaging in situations involving low random error of measurement is examined critically. The illustrative examples are drawn from physics, but the conclusions apply more generally. In particular, the various averages which can arise in physical situations are discussed. Approximate expressions are given for the differences between them. Finally, the significance of these differences is examined.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10731

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The relation between the aperture and the depth of focus of a lens is briefly described. A specific application to the eye is discussed in detail.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10732

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Recent textbooks on electromagnetic theory rarely do more than mention the Hertz vector potentials, yet many classical problems of radiation and propagation may be elegantly and concisely solved using these potentials. We discuss the definition of the Hertz vector potentials and demonstrate their application to the calculation of electric and magnetic dipole radiation and to the propagation modes of a rectangular waveguide.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.10955

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1977

数据来源: AIP