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Issue 12 | Dec 1972 | pp. 1729-1894

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Select this Article		A Self-Paced, Independent Study, Introductory Physics Sequence—Description and Evaluation Owen T. Anderson and Robert A. Artman American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1737 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract The instructional methods and media used to implement a self-paced, independent study, three-semester introductory physics sequence are described. The effectiveness of the first of these three courses was evaluated using experimental and control groups. The results of this experiment, along with the results of less quantitative evaluations, are given and discussed.

Select this Article		The Use of Computer Generated Data in Experiment Design—A Student Exercise Richard M. Schectman American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1742 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract An exercise in experiment design, envisioned for use in an undergraduate nuclear physics course, is herein described. The exercise utilizes several new methods of analysis, introduces the student to the use of the digital computer in simulating experimental data, and teaches the basic principles of experiment design.

Select this Article		Environmental Topics in an Undergraduate Physics Curriculum David J. Cowan American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1748 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract The number of bachelor's degrees in physics conferred annually is predicted to decline. This decline may be abated by emphasizing the versatility of an undergraduate physics degree. The introduction of environmental topics throughout the undergraduate curriculum is one method of illustrating this flexibility, and this approach is presented. Examples of the applications of physical principles to several areas of environmental change are given. These areas are air pollution, energy conversion and resources, environmental radiation, noise, thermal pollution, transportation, and water pollution. Representative bibliographies are presented in each area to facilitate the introduction of these topics into the curriculum. For the most part, items in the bibliography refer to environmental problems that are amenable to the laws of physics. No major changes are proposed for the standard undergraduate physics curriculum, although a course in fluid mechanics or transport phenomena would provide a valuable background for students of all interests.

Select this Article		Down With Calculus! William Silvert American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1757 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract The importance of calculus is over emphasized in elementary physics courses. More stress should be placed on the application of other types of mathematical reasoning, especially modern algebra and numerical methods. This paper presents approaches to several problems in physics teaching that either use a time-sharing computer terminal or symmetry arguments to solve sophisticated and physically significant problems at a level appropriate for liberal art students.

Select this Article		Einstein's Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics L. E. Ballentine American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1763 \| Cited 2 times Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract Einstein's arguments concerning the interpretation of quantum mechanics are reviewed and contrasted with certain misconceptions regarding his attitude toward the theory. He considered Born's statistical interpretation to be the only satisfactory one, and he was not a supporter of hidden-variable theories such as that of Bohm. His criticism of the interpretation accepted, at least tacitly, by many physicists was that the quantum state function does not provide a description of an individual system but rather of an ensemble of similar systems. This criticism was not based merely upon his famous remark that God does not play dice, but upon some definite physical arguments which did not assume determinism.

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Dec 1972

Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1729-1894

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Select this Article		The Robert A. Millikan Lecture Award 1972 Bailey L. Donnally American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1729 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		The Evolution of Physics Teaching Arnold A. Strassenburg American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1730 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		The Thomas Precession George P. Fisher American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1772 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract This paper is intended to give a simple physical understanding of the kinematic effect referred to as the Wigner rotation or, when applied to an orbiting object, the Thomas precession. Since this is a kinematic effect it applies not only to particles with spin but to all physical bodies in which a direction can be defined. To aid in avoiding the usual pitfalls in working with these problems, a review is made of several different approaches to the problem of an infinitesimally extended accelerating physical object. The central problem is in taking successive Lorentz transformations between parallel coordinate systems and clearly distinguishing between physical rotations of the object and coordinate rotations. When accounting for the energy associated with the Thomas precession a simple physical explanation is given rather than the misleading description popularly presented.

Select this Article		Quantum Treatment of Thomson Scattering in a Magnetic Field T. K. Gaisser American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1782 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract Quantum theory of radiation is used to calculate Thomson scattering in the presence of a magnetic field. The analysis is relevant to recent experiments on the scattering of laser light from a magnetized plasma, and it provides an entertaining exercise in the use of raising and lowering operator techniques.

Select this Article		Action and Reaction in a Relativistic System: A Gedanken Experiment Eric Gruenstein and Bruce L. Beron American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1787 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract A Gedanken experiment is presented in which a cyclotron with a man standing on top of it and two remotely located power packs are all initially at rest within a closed system. By a process of acceleration of cyclotron particles to relativistic velocities with consequent increase in cyclotron mass followed by a jump from the cyclotron and subsequent deactivation of the cyclotron, the momentum of the man-cyclotron system is increased. Momentum is shown to be conserved in the electromagnetic field generated during particle deceleration with cyclotron velocity remaining constant. However, a second activation-jump-deactiva-tion cycle gives rise to a considerably more complex problem of momentum conservation. In this case, the velocities of both cyclotron and power source must change in order to conserve momentum.

Select this Article		Experimental Verification of the Fresnel and Airy Equations for an Air-Glass-Air System D. E. Shaw and Francis J. Wunderlich American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1791 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract We describe two experiments using simple equipment suitable for an undergraduate laboratory course in physical optics or advanced electromagnetism. The monochromatic optical transmission characteristics of a glass flat with and without multiple reflections are measured as a function of the angle of incidence and the results compared with the theoretical predictions based on the Fresnel and Airy equations.

Select this Article		On the Validity of Kirchhoff's Law in a Nonequilibrium Environment Donald G. Burkhard, John V. S. Lochhead, and Claude M. Penchina American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1794 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract In the heat radiation literature, the words absorptivity and emissivity have both been used in different senses. This can lead to confusion, and in one case it was argued that Kirchhoffs law of equality between emissivity and absorptivity does not apply to the radiation from a material for which the stimulated emission depends on the temperature of the environment. We clarify the proper thermodynamic definition of absorptivity (and emissivity) and show that Kirchhoff's law stated in terms of those definitions correctly predicts the results of experiments. This follows even when there are large deviations from equilibrium, or when there is nonlinear absorption or emission.

Select this Article		The Index of Refraction F. Landis Markley American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1799 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract The phase velocity c∕n of waves in a dielectric medium is known to arise from the interference of incident waves and waves emitted by the atoms in the medium, all traveling with speed c. As a model of a dielectric we consider a number of parallel sheets of charge with an electromagnetic wave normally incident on the sheets. The sheets are taken to be infinite in extent, which involves some rather delicate handling of infinities. The limiting case of an infinite number of sheets leads to an integral equation, the solution of which contains the usual formulas for light propagation in a dielectric.

Select this Article		Exact and Impulse Scattering of Weakly Coupled Probes by an Harmonic Oscillator H. A. Gersch American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1803 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract Comparison is made between the exact and impulse approximation expressions for scattering of weakly coupled probes by a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator. These results are utilized to estimate the applicability of the impulse approximation to several experimental situations. A first correction term to the impulse approximation is evaluated.

Select this Article		Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of Angular Momentum Operator J_x without the Theory of Rotations Lorenzo M. Narducci and Miguel Orszag American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1811 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract We propose an algebraic diagonalization procedure for the angular momentum matrix J_x which is based on the introduction of a suitable generating function. The consideration of the analytic properties of the generating function leads to the eigenvalues of the problem. The coefficients of the power series expansion of this function generate the components of the eigenvectors of J_x. This procedure provides the beginning student of quantum mechanics with an alternative derivation of the eigenvalue spectrum of the angular momentum.

Select this Article		Dimensional Analysis and the Buckingham Pi Theorem John H. Evans American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1815 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract Working from a simple example of a dimensional transformation, the essential elements are identified, and an abstract prototype transformation is defined. With the aid of careful definitions and a geometric interpretation of what happens in a dimensional transformation the Buckingham pi theorem is written down but not proved. The application of this theorem to the heat equation in spherical coordinates and one dimensional gas motion without boundary conditions serve to illustrate the usefulness of the theorem in physics.

Select this Article		Physics Courses—Some Suggested Case Studies T. P. Swetman American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1822 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract This paper briefly suggests some possible case study topics, all involving elements of controversy and speculation, for inclusion in physics courses.

Select this Article		Acoustic Radiation Pressure in a Traveling Plane Wave James A. Rooney and Wesley L. Nyborg American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1825 \| Cited 2 times Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract A theory is developed for acoustic radiation pressure exerted by a plane wave on a perfect absorber, using Euler's momentum theorem. For the case of an open vessel, the radiation pressure P equals the mean energy density E even when nonlinearities of the medium and distortion of wave form are taken into account. For a closed vessel P equals [1 + ½(B∕A)]E. The term B∕A describes the non-linearity in the pressure-density relation for the medium and equals γ−1 for the case of an ideal gas under adiabatic conditions.

Select this Article		Geometric Approach to Relativistic Dynamics John S. Rigden American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1831 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract Several space-time diagrammatic approaches have been devised for the analysis of questions arising in relativistic kinematics. This general approach is extended to dynamics by the development of the geometric equivalent of the Lorentz energy-momentum transformation equations. The resulting diagrams are called ergmentum diagrams. Following the covariant approach of Brehme (as opposed to the con-travariant approach of Loedel), the ergmentum diagram is applied to several classes of problems.

Select this Article		E = mc² and the Repulsion between Plane Aerials T. J. Ericson American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1840 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract By analyzing the interaction between the electromagnetic radiation -produced by one plane aerial and the current induced in another plane aerial, it can be shown by simple mathematics that the energy in an electromagnetic field is equal to its mass times c².

Select this Article		Mass Renormalization and Radiation Damping for a Charged Particle in Uniform Circular Motion Timothy H. Boyer American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1843 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract The example of a charged point particle in uniform circular motion is treated from a pedagogical point of view within classical electrodynamics. The elementary analysis is of interest because it clearly separates out the finite radiation reaction force from the divergent mass renormalization term, and also because the particle is always treated as a point charge with the self-force found from evaluating the point charge fields over a surrounding spherical surface.

Select this Article		On the Goos-Hänchen Effect: A Simple Example of a Time Delay Scattering Process K. W. Chiu and J. J. Quinn American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1847 \| Cited 5 times Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract A very simple analysis of the Goos-Hänchen effect, involving only elementary concepts of classical mechanics, is presented.

Select this Article		Some Geometrical Aspects of Classical Coulomb Scattering John W. Adolph, A. Leon Garcia, William G. Harter, G. C. McLaughlin, Richard R. Shiffman, and Victor G. Surkus American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1852 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
	+ -	Show Abstract We derive a number of seemingly forgotten facts concerning Coulomb orbits that make the subject simpler than it is as found in the texts.

Select this Article		A Heuristic Derivation of Coulomb's Law and the Biot-Savart Law Donald G. Burkhard American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1858 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Microscopic and Macroscopic Views of the Brownian Motion F. Landis Markley American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1859 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Ray Reversal by the Corner Reflector L. C. Corrado American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1860 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		A Simple Question in Mechanics George Barnes American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1861 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Matrix Proof of Euler Equations Doris Wiedemann and Klaus P. Wiedemann American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1862 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Double Spark Source for Linear Air Track Albert Burris American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1864 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Holography on a Low Budget Jeremy Wise American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1866 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Velocity of Light from the Earth-Moon-Earth Communications Delay Forrest Glick American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1867 \| Cited 1 time Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		A Course in Digital Electronics and On-Line Computing Robert Beringer and William Lichten American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1868 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		A New Method for Measuring the Focal Length of a Diverging Lens Hemanshu Roy American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1869 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		A Leaf Electrometer Discriminating the Polarity of Charge Nobuo Naba and Zengoro Kawai American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1870 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable

Select this Article		Compton Scattering Experiment Michael Stamatelatos American Journal of Physics -- December 1972 -- Volume 40, Issue 12, pp. 1871 Online Publication Date: Jul 2005 Full Text: \| Download PDF
		Abstract Unavailable