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The Physics Teacher

American Journal of Physics»
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Papers
Notes and Discussions
Letter to the Editor
Apparatus Notes
Book Reviews
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Volume 44

Issue 12 | Dec 1976 | pp. 1149-1236

Issue 11 | Nov 1976 | pp. 1025-1146

Issue 10 | Oct 1976 | pp. 903-1022

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Dec 1976

Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1149-1236

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Teaching physics for related sciences and professions

A. P. French and E. L. Jossem

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1149 | Cited 2 times

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This paper describes a conference held in the Summer of 1976 concerning the teaching of physics for those who make use of physics in other disciplines or fields of activity. An appendix contains the set of reports prepared during the conference by working groups formed to consider the problems of relating physics to various specific disciplines.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.10.Fv	Conferences, lectures, and institutes

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Computer‐drawn field lines and potential surfaces for a wide range of field configurations

Siegmund Brandt and Hermann Schneider

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1160 | Cited 2 times

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An interactive computer program has been written that computes field lines and equipotential surfaces for a wide range of field configurations. The mathematical technique and details of the program, the input data, and different modes of graphical representation are described, and various examples are presented. Possible extensions of the method are discussed.

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01.50.ht	Instructional computer use
03.50.-z	Classical field theories
07.05.Rm	Data presentation and visualization: algorithms and implementation
07.07.Hj	Display and recording equipment, oscilloscopes, TV cameras, etc.

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An inexpensive, reliable, high‐power molecular nitrogen laser

Robert C. Hilborn

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1172 | Cited 1 time

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The design, construction, and performance of a low‐cost, transversely excited molecular nitrogen laser are described in detail. Peak powers of over 100 kW at pulse repetition rates of 20 pps have been achieved at a total cost, including vacuum pump and power supply, of under $800. Some simple experiments and demonstrations using this laser are suggested.

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42.55.Lt

Gas lasers including excimer and metal-vapor lasers

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Sound and light in the arts

Donald K. Day

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1177

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This paper describes an elementary one‐semester course in the physics of sound and light with an emphasis on applications in art, music, photography, and theater. The course has succeeded in attracting a substantial number of students with an interest in one or more of the above areas. The structure and composition of the course may therefore be of interest to physics departments in other institutions.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.40.Di	Course design and evaluation

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Magnetic monopole and charged particle ionization cross sections

Ralph Snyder

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1181

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Classical mechanics is used to show why magnetic monopoles can be distinguished from charged particles by their ionization properties. Also, simple derivations are given of ion–atom ionization cross sections.

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45.05.+x	General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems
03.50.-z	Classical field theories

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Thermionic emission experiment using a phototube

Edgar Pearlstein, Gregory Swift, and Kenneth Wright

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1184

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An advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment is described for studying thermionic emission. The cathode of a type 922 photodiode is used as the emitter, over a temperature range from room temperature to 80 °C. The thermionic emission current varies by a factor of 3000 over this temperature range, enabling good determination of the work function of the cathode, which can be compared with the photoelectric work function. The experiment requires no specialized apparatus.

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01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
79.40.+z	Thermionic emission

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Superconductivity in the advanced laboratory

F. Behroozi and K. R. King

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1187 | Cited 1 time

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Two simple experiments in superconductivity suitable for the advanced undergraduate laboratory are described. A homemade variable‐frequency oscillator is employed in a conventional cryostat to measure the superconducting transition temperature of tin using a resonant‐tank‐circuit method. The setup is further used to obtain the superconducting–normal phase diagram for tin in the presence of a magnetic field. Enough experimental details are provided to enable a nonspecialist to duplicate the setup and perform the experiments.

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01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
74.10.+v	Occurrence, potential candidates

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An interesting exactly soluble one‐dimensional Hartree problem

L. L. Foldy

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1192 | Cited 9 times

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See Also: Erratum

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We examine an interesting one‐dimensional problem involving two particles in an external field for which the Hartree equation can be solved analytically when both particles are in the same space orbital. The problem has close similarities to the three‐dimensional problem for the helium atom, although the external potential and the interaction potential are taken to be Dirac δ functions. The δ functions share an identical virial theorem with Coulomb potentials but are otherwise very different. The similarities of results in the two cases nevertheless extend to eigenvalues and wave functions. Some interesting generalizations are considered, including the one‐dimensional analog of the hydrogen molecule problem. These models and their solutions should prove useful as an introduction to the Hartree method for atomic and molecular physicists and chemists.

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03.65.Ge	Solutions of wave equations: bound states
31.15.-p	Calculations and mathematical techniques in atomic and molecular physics

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Giant dipole state in the deuteron in simple models

L. Zamick

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1197

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By assuming a Serber interaction and either asymptotic or Hulthen wave functions for the deuteron, we can easily obtain the mean energy of the dipole state of the deuteron. We do this in two ways: first, we construct the dipole state as a bound state in the continuum and, secondly, we use the photodisintegration cross section. The results for the bound state calculation agree with the continuum calculation.

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21.10.Ma	Level density
24.30.Cz	Giant resonances
27.10.+h	A ≤ 5

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Some remarks on clock rates in special relativity

Robert H. Barron and Paul Mazur

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1200 | Cited 2 times

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In part I a simple gedanken experiment is discussed that clearly develops a connection between the rates of accelerated clocks in special relativity theory and the rates of clocks at different points in a uniform gravitational field in any theory which incorporates the equivalence principle, such as general relativity theory. In part II it is shown that the time dilation effect observed when the rate of a moving clock is compared with that of a clock at rest can be derived by observing the Doppler shift, not only of light waves emitted by the moving clock, but of any periodic wave, e.g., sound.

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03.30.+p

Special relativity

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Can local measurements resolve the twin paradox in a Kerr metric?

Donald E. Hall

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1204 | Cited 2 times

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The twin paradox has been strengthened in recent versions by putting both twins in free fall throughout. It is then less obvious that there are observable differences in their experiences. This article further considers Markley’s proposal for twins in oppositely directed circular orbits in the equatorial plane outside a rapidly rotating massive object. Experiments are discussed that would enable each twin to distinguish which way he is revolving. They can then agree as to which will age less, so that the paradox is still resolvable. It is argued that these experiments must include at least one interaction between the observer and some part of spacetime outside the immediate vicinity of his own worldline.

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04.20.-q

Classical general relativity

Notes and Discussions

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To pursue new courses or not to pursue new courses—that is the question

Howard Goldberg

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1209

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.G-

Curricula and evaluation

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Response to ’’To pursue new courses or not to pursue new courses’’

Thomas O. Baldwin and Dorothy M. File

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1209

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.G-

Curricula and evaluation

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Coordinate‐free rotation formalism

Jon Mathews

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1210 | Cited 3 times

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Abstract Unavailable

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02.40.-k

Geometry, differential geometry, and topology

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Why does a mass on a spring sometimes misbehave?

M. G. Olsson

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1211 | Cited 8 times

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Abstract Unavailable

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45.05.+x

General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

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Normal coordinates

Edward A. Desloge

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1212

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Abstract Unavailable

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45.05.+x

General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

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Comment on ’’Aerodynamics of a knuckleball’’

Robert Weaver

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1215

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Abstract Unavailable

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47.10.-g

General theory in fluid dynamics

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Refractive index of a liquid by wedge–film interference

G. R. Davies

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1215 | Cited 1 time

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
07.60.Hv	Refractometers and reflectometers

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Particle accelerators and the fundamental constants

P. I. P. Kalmus and R. B. Jones

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1216

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As an instructive exercise in elementary quantum physics, we explore the relationship between the sizes of circular particle accelerators and the fundamental constants of nature.

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29.20.dk

Synchrotrons

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Negative resistor to provide self‐oscillation in RLC circuits

Edwin A. S. Lewis

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1217

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
84.30.Ng	Oscillators, pulse generators, and function generators

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When Homer nods, or G. W. Pierce and the height of the E‐layer

J. A. Pierce

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1219

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Abstract Unavailable

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94.20.Bb	Wave propagation
01.60.+q	Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries

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Acoustic demonstrations in lecture halls: A note of caution

Thomas D. Rossing

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1220 | Cited 1 time

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
43.20.+g	General linear acoustics

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Does the displacement current in empty space produce a magnetic field?

W. G. V. Rosser

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1221 | Cited 2 times

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Abstract Unavailable

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03.50.-z	Classical field theories
02.90.+p	Other topics in mathematical methods in physics (restricted to new topics in section 02)

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Erratum: ’’Magnetic suspension for lecture and classroom demonstrations’’

W. R. Towler and J. E. Beams

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1223

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Abstract Unavailable

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43.10.Vx	Errata
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

Letter to the Editor

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Comment on a review of Liberal Arts Physics: Invariance and Change by John Bailey

Alan J. Friedman

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1224

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.30.Vv	Book reviews
01.75.+m	Science and society

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Comment on ’’Why aren’t films used more?’’

Alfred M. Bork

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1224

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.F-

Audio and visual aids

Apparatus Notes

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Solar‐heating demonstration experiment

J. F. Kielkopf

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1226

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
84.60.Ve	Energy storage systems, including capacitor banks

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Street‐light spectroscopy

Richard Breslow

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1227

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
07.60.Rd	Visible and ultraviolet spectrometers
32.30.-r	Atomic spectra

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Variable star simulator

W. E. Hughes

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1227

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
95.55.-n	Astronomical and space-research instrumentation

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A simple voltage‐to‐frequency converter

Richard C. Martin

American Journal of Physics -- December 1976 -- Volume 44, Issue 12, pp. 1228

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
85.90.+h	Other topics in electronic and magnetic devices and microelectronics (restricted to new topics in section 85)