AAPT Logo
AJP Logo
 
   
 

BROWSE VOLUMES

Year Range: 
Search Issue | RSS Feeds RSS
Previous Issue

Dec 1991

Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1065-1157

back to top
RSS Feeds

Guest Comment: Creating a support system for women in science—Combining co‐curricular programming and student life at Douglass College

Ellen F. Mappen

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1065

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
back to top
RSS Feeds

Paul Klopsteg, 1889–1991

Melba Phillips

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1066

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.60.+q Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries
01.10.Cr Announcements, news, and awards
back to top
RSS Feeds

American Association of Physics Teachers 1991 Klopsteg Lecturer: Paul K. Hansma

Judy R. Franz

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1067

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.10.Cr Announcements, news, and awards
01.10.Fv Conferences, lectures, and institutes
07.79.Cz Scanning tunneling microscopes
61.05.-a Techniques for structure determination

American Association of Physics Teachers 1991 Millikan Medalist: Don Herbert

Judy R. Franz

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1068

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.10.Cr Announcements, news, and awards
01.40.E- Science in school
01.60.+q Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries
back to top
RSS Feeds

Resource Letter AP‐1: The anthropic principle

Yuri V. Balashov

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1069 | Cited 1 time

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
This Resource Letter provides a guide to the literature on the anthropic principle. The letter E after an item indicates elementary level or material of general interest to persons becoming informed in the field. The letter I, for intermediate level, indicates material of somewhat more specialized nature. The annotation A indicates rather specialized or advanced material.
Show PACS
98.80.-k Cosmology
01.30.Rr Surveys and tutorial papers; resource letters
01.70.+w Philosophy of science

Berry’s geometric phase and motional fields

Eugene D. Commins

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1077 | Cited 6 times

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
An experiment is described that provides an example of how Berry’s geometric phase arises from motion of a particle with a magnetic moment in an electric field and an inhomogeneous magnetic field.
Show PACS
12.20.Fv Experimental tests
03.65.Pm Relativistic wave equations
01.50.Kw Techniques of testing

Variations on the Aharonov–Bohm effect

Barry R. Holstein

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1080 | Cited 2 times

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Three variations of the usual two‐slit electron diffraction experiment—insertion of a solenoid, of a rotating superconductor, and of an electric line charge in a neutron diffraction experiment—are examined. Each is shown to lead to a shift in the interference pattern.
Show PACS
03.65.Ta Foundations of quantum mechanics; measurement theory

A surprising optical property of Plexiglas rods—An unusual approach to birefringence

Werner B. Schneider

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1086

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Plexiglas (Lucite) is optically anisotropic, it scatters laser light, it has a high transparency for light, and it is economical and easy to cut and polish. Combining these properties, a lot of interesting applications are possible, which are very useful for teaching optics. The demonstration of elliptically polarized light in a direct and impressive way or the easy construction of quarter‐wave or half‐wave retardation plates with exceptional performance are a few examples.
Show PACS
01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
42.25.Lc Birefringence
42.25.Ja Polarization

Alchemy in 1+1 dimension: From bosons to fermions

H. Galić

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1088

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Canonical massless fermion field is constructed from canonical boson field in 1+1 dimensional space. Single‐fermion states are expressed in terms of eigenstates of boson operators.
Show PACS
11.10.-z Field theory
03.70.+k Theory of quantized fields

The linear chain with initial conditions

Frank Munley

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1096

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The Laplace transform is used to introduce initial conditions into the equations of motion of a linear chain of N equal masses connected by equivalent springs. A concrete solution requires inversion of an N×N matrix and inversion of the Laplace transform. A recursive relationship is derived which allows the inverse matrix for N masses to be easily obtained from the matrix for N−1 masses, and the inverse Laplace transform is obtained by the method of partial fractions. A general expression for certain partial fraction coefficients is derived, which makes it possible to determine the motion of the end mass of a semi‐infinite chain when this mass receives an impulse.
Show PACS
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

Generalized Gantmacher formulas through functions of matrices

Leon Y. Bahar

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1103

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Gantmacher formulas are generalized by including the effect of the centripetal and angular accelerations in addition to the usual Coriolis term. The integration is accomplished by using a method based on functions of matrices, which permits the summation of an infinite series in closed form through the use of the Cayley–Hamilton theorem. The problem is further extended by allowing arbitrary matrix coefficients in the vector equation of motion, provided they obey a certain commutativity condition. In addition to standard examples, the problem of a particle moving on a plane rotating with variable angular velocity is considered. This example differs from the ones considered in the literature because neither the centripetal nor the angular acceleration terms can be neglected. Solutions of various orders are developed by truncating the exact solution when appropriate.
Show PACS
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

Classical limit of quantum mechanics (electron in a magnetic field)

E. G. Peter Rowe

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1111

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Different classical limits of quantum mechanics are discussed in the setting of a simple example, the two‐dimensional motion of a spinless electron in a uniform magnetic field. Both the time‐independent energy eigenstates and the time‐dependent states developing from initial localized states are exactly solvable. In the first example, an ℏ→0 limit with fixed energy leads to a simple ensemble of classical orbits. In the second, ℏ→0 with fixed initial mean position and momentum leads to a unique classical orbit.
Show PACS
03.65.Sq Semiclassical theories and applications
41.60.-m Radiation by moving charges

Magnetic drag in the quasi‐static limit: A computational method

M. Marcuso, R. Gass, D. Jones, and C. Rowlett

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1118 | Cited 3 times

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The method of successive approximations is applied to Maxwell’s equations to calculate the magnetic drag on a conducting disk rotating under the influence of a localized nonuniform magnetic field. An expression for the damping torque produced by the magnetic field is obtained in the low‐velocity (quasi‐static) limit of the disk’s motion: The damping force, in the case of rectilinear motion, is also calculated. When the theoretical expression for the damping torque is specialized to the case of a uniform magnetic field, the result is found to be identical with that of an existing textbook treatment. In the Appendix, a simplified treatment of the magnetic drag problem suitable for an introductory‐level laboratory class is given. This treatment yields a final expression for the damping torque which is identical in form to the rigorous result except for a scaling factor.
Show PACS
41.20.Gz Magnetostatics; magnetic shielding, magnetic induction, boundary-value problems
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations

Magnetic drag in the quasi‐static limit: Experimental data and analysis

M. Marcuso, R. Gass, D. Jones, and C. Rowlett

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1123 | Cited 4 times

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Experimental details concerning measurements of the deceleration of Al and Cu disks rotating under the influence of a localized, nonuniform magnetic field are discussed. For a specified magnetic field distribution, the deceleration of the disk is measured as a function of radial location of the field from the rotation axis and the magnetic drag coefficient at each point is calculated. The measured values of the drag coefficients are compared to theoretical predictions and excellent agreement is obtained.
Show PACS
41.20.Gz Magnetostatics; magnetic shielding, magnetic induction, boundary-value problems

On variational problems in parametric form

G. W. Forbes

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1130 | Cited 3 times

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
An important class of variational problems concerns properties of geometric curves (such as length, curvature, etc.) that are independent of the parametrization. When formulated in terms of an arbitrary parameter, many of the familiar tools appear to fail for these problems. For example, the associated Euler–Lagrange equations are not independent, the process of solving for the Hamiltonian breaks down, and, as a consequence, the form of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation is obscured. Several alternative methods have previously been developed specifically for the solution of problems of this form, but these relatively sophisticated techniques have no direct links to the methods familiar from the context of classical mechanics. It is shown here that it is possible to solve such problems by using the conventional tools of mechanics. In particular, the integration of the Euler–Lagrange equations is realized in terms of a specific parameter that is completely determined save for a crucial, arbitrary scale factor. By considering an unusual Legendre transform, a direct analogue of Hamilton’s canonical equations is shown to emerge. More importantly, a unique form for the analogue of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation is derived from the conventional Hamilton–Jacobi equations for members of a family of auxiliary variational problems. Fermat’s principle is discussed in some detail to illustrate the methods introduced here.
Show PACS
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

A general method for calculating reflection and transmission coefficients in multiple slabs

Juan J. Morales and María J. Nuevo

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1140

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
For normal incidence onto a stack of multiple slabs, a method is described that relates the reflection and transmission coefficients in an inner slab and the reflection coefficients in two consecutive slabs, and that gives an expression for the reflection and transmission coefficients in the last slab. This method is more general than that traditionally used, and becomes easier and quicker as the number of slabs increases.
Show PACS
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
42.25.Gy Edge and boundary effects; reflection and refraction
78.20.Ci Optical constants (including refractive index, complex dielectric constant, absorption, reflection and transmission coefficients, emissivity)
back to top
RSS Feeds

Nuclear potential in the Yukawa model

N. Gauthier and S. Sherrit

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1144

Full Text: | Download PDF

Show Abstract
A realistic expression for the net nuclear potential is obtained as the sum of the contributions due to the inner core and the outer shell. (AIP)
Show PACS
21.30.-x Nuclear forces

Two‐line geometric derivation of the time derivatives of unit vectors in orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems

R. A. Gordon

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1146

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
02.40.Hw Classical differential geometry
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

Comment on ‘‘An algebraic approach for solving mechanical problems,’’ by C. F. de Souza and M. M. Gandelman [Am. J. Phys. 58, 491–495 (1990)]

F. A. B. Coutinho

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1148

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems

An alternate way of computing uncertainties

S. M. Scariano and A. R. Marlow

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1149

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.50.Kw Techniques of testing
02.70.-c Computational techniques; simulations

Comment on ‘‘Derivation of reciprocity relations for a beam splitter from energy balance,’’ by Z. Y. Ou and L. Mandel [Am. J. Phys. 57, 66–67 (1989)]

K. Smiles Mascarenhas

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1150 | Cited 1 time

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
42.79.Bh Lenses, prisms and mirrors
42.79.Fm Reflectors, beam splitters, and deflectors

Erratum: ‘‘Physical holonomy, Thomas precession, and Clifford algebra’’ [Am. J. Phys. 58, 747–750 (1990)]

H. Urbantke

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1150

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
03.30.+p Special relativity
02.10.-v Logic, set theory, and algebra
02.20.-a Group theory
99.10.Cd Errata
back to top
RSS Feeds

Religion in an Age of Science

Ian G. Barbour, Author and Eugene E. Selk, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1152

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.90.+g Other topics of general interest (restricted to new topics in section 01)

Quantum Mechanics

Leslie E. Ballentine, Author and David Griffiths

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1153

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.30.mm Textbooks for graduates and researchers
03.65.-w Quantum mechanics

An Introduction to Laboratory Automation

Víctor Cerdá, Author, Guillermo Ramis, Author, and Roy R. Knispel

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1155

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.30.Rr Surveys and tutorial papers; resource letters
07.05.-t Computers in experimental physics
07.07.-a General equipment

They’re Not Dumb, They’re Different: Stalking the Second Tier

Sheila Tobias, Author and Herbert Lin

American Journal of Physics -- December 1991 -- Volume 59, Issue 12, pp. 1155

Full Text: | Download PDF

Abstract Unavailable
Show PACS
01.40.-d Education
Close

Your Recent History Recent History Help

Recently Viewed

  1. The Bohr–Einstein ‘‘weighing‐of‐energy’’ debate and the principle of equivalence
  2. The twin paradox revisited
  3. Feynman’s proof of the Maxwell equations
  4. Resource Letter MD‐1: Maxwell’s demon
  5. Henry Cavendish, Johann von Soldner, and the deflection of light

AAPT on:

close