摘要:

What are the thoughts of a theoretical physicist when he visits places associated with the life of Galileo, namely, Vallombrosa, Pisa, Padua, Florence, Rome, and Siena? In particular, what did Galileo do scientifically at each of these places and what souvenirs of his activity now remain? His important works are reviewed briefly in this connection. The celebrated case of Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church is viewed in the light of Galileo's own personality and character.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970169

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Fifteen commonly available measures of achievement and intelligence are analyzed for a test group of high-ability physics students in an attempt to establish their contributions to the variance of physics scores in a college physics course. Two regression equations are given for prediction of success in physics for this group. It is concluded that: (1) success in physics for this group is not significantly correlated with measured Otis I.Q., social studies subtest of ACT, high-school grade-point average, or rank in high-school class; (2) there is no advantage or disadvantage for the test group in having taken physics in high school; (3) better evaluation practice is needed at the college-physics level in order to extend the study; (4) better evaluation instruments are needed for testing high-ability students.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970171

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A set of axioms and a formalism is presented for handling units and dimensions. Using the axioms, one form of the II theorem is proved simply and rigorously; also, two often debated questions are given definitive answers, both in the affirmative: (1) Are transcendental functions of a dimensional quantity legitimate? (2) Are the laws of physics always expressible in a form invariant under transformations of units?

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970173

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Dirac's treatment of constraints is reformulated in theQ-T-P-Hspace of states and energy. The approach affords a symmetric method of introducing constraints and testing their compatibility. When they are not compatible, one is led to Dirac's classification into first- and second-class constraints. When they are compatible, i.e., all first class, the transition to quantum mechanics is immediate.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970175

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A new classification of quantum mechanical quantities according to their measurability is discussed. We have three different types of quantities: first, exactly measurable quantities which commute with all the conserved quantities; second, approximately measurable quantities which do not commute with all additive conserved quantities; and finally nonmeasurable quantities which are conjugate to the absolute invariants. The epistemological implications of the measurement process are discussed and it is pointed out that the quantum mechanical description of this process does not furnish an adequate explanation of the acquisition of knowledge.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970177

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The use of modified plane waves with the spherical incoming waves modification as final states in matrix elements used in calculating scattering cross sections is discussed from the standpoint of two techniques. The first method makes use of general properties of Green's functions for outgoing and incoming waves and their reciprocity relations. The second method is based on expanding Green's function in terms of modified plane waves with either incoming or outgoing spherical wave modification.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970179

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

It is shown that a consideration of the Coulombic and spin-orbit interactions between the electrons of a given atomic configuration is sufficient to arrive at a lowest-energy state consistent with Hund's rule. The maximum-spin requirement of Hund's rule is a result of minimum Coulombic energy alone, whereas maximum orbital angular momentum consistent with maximum spin is a result of minimum spin-orbit energy. It is argued that, to first order, the spin-spin interaction is not a principal factor in determining the properties of this state. The simple notions used to obtain these results are extended to excited states of thenf6configuration and are shown to give results consistent with calculations based on hydrogenic wavefunctions.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970181

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A new concept in physics laboratory instruction is described in which the experiments are available to the student in much the same fashion as books in a library. The general nature of the experiments is explained and the philosophy underlying the use of the laboratory for instruction is discussed.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970183

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The experiment described illustrates the principles of coupled mechanical oscillation, makes use of coupled simple pendulums and favorably lends itself to precise experimental measurements. In addition, the motion of the system in the range of small to moderate amplitudes of oscillation may be completely described in terms of measurable lengths and masses. The experiment appears to be valuable for the intermediate laboratory since it shows the physical significance of the theoretical concepts of normal modes and coordinates.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970185

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The design and use of a versatile and inexpensive ballistic apparatus for the undergraduate laboratory is described.

ISSN:0002-9505    

DOI:10.1119/1.1970187

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1964

数据来源: AIP