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Jan 2002

Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 10-96

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Comment on “Super classical quantum mechanics: The best interpretation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics,” by W. E. Lamb [Am. J. Phys. 69, 413–422 (2001)]

J. Luzuriaga

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 10

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.-i Educational aids
03.65.Sq Semiclassical theories and applications

Importance of physics education research

James H. Stith, David Campbell, Priscilla Laws, Eric Mazur, Warren Buck, and Donald Kirk

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 11

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01.50.-i Educational aids
01.55.+b General physics
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Format and content in introductory physics

Peter Lindenfeld

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 12

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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.40.Di Course design and evaluation
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Resource Letter: TE-1: Teaching electronics

Dennis C. Henry

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 14

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This Resource Letter examines the evolution, roles, and content of courses in electronics in the undergraduate physics curriculum, and provides a guide to resources for faculty teaching such courses. It concludes with a brief section addressing problems of electromagnetic interference in electronic systems, and provides an introduction to the literature and practice of electromagnetic compatibility. I have included textbooks, reference books, articles, collections of laboratory experiments and projects, sources of equipment and parts, software packages, videos, and websites. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
01.30.Rr Surveys and tutorial papers; resource letters
07.50.Hp Electrical noise and shielding equipment

How do we know if we are doing a good job in physics teaching?

Robert Ehrlich

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 24 | Cited 1 time

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Whether it be at the level of the individual, the academic department, or the entire physics teaching profession, nearly all of us want to do a good job. But how can we know if we are succeeding? To what extent can we trust traditional measures of excellence in teaching, and what alternative measures resting on different—perhaps even unfashionable—assumptions might we consider? © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation

Physics goes practical

T. D. Usher and P. K. Dixon

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 30 | Cited 3 times

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A new applied physics program at California State University San Bernardino is described. The applied program incorporates many aspects that may be of interest to others. For example, a required course in introductory electronics is offered at the freshman level. This program is not a “watered down” version of the traditional B.S. degree. We also stress that this applied physics option was not created by a few minor curriculum changes with the name “applied physics option” attached; it represents a major commitment by the department to offer a viable and marketable alternative to the traditional physics major. We believe that a balance must be struck by providing the type of liberal arts education that will sustain students throughout their careers and enrich their lives on the one hand, while offering specific skills that will help them land that all important first position on the other hand. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids

Classical analog of electromagnetically induced transparency

C. L. Garrido Alzar, M. A. G. Martinez, and P. Nussenzveig

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 37 | Cited 84 times

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We present a classical analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). In a system of just two coupled harmonic oscillators subject to a harmonic driving force, we reproduce the phenomenology observed in EIT. We also describe a simple experiment with two linearly coupled RLC circuits which can be incorporated into an undergraduate laboratory. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
42.25.Bs Wave propagation, transmission and absorption

Sadi Carnot on Carnot’s theorem

J. Güémez, C. Fiolhais, and M. Fiolhais

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 42 | Cited 1 time

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We reproduce the original calculations of Sadi Carnot that led him to formulate the so-called Carnot’s theorem. We rephrase Carnot’s calculations in SI units and compare his results with those obtained using modern data. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
05.70.-a Thermodynamics

The shape of “the Spandex” and orbits upon its surface

Gary D. White and Michael Walker

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 48 | Cited 1 time

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What is the shape that results when a flat rubber sheet is warped by placing a heavy ball upon it? We show that, at distance R far from the center of a ball of mass M, the height h of the surface above the ball’s center is given by h(R)=AM1/3R2/3, where A is a constant determined by the stretchiness of the rubber and the earth’s gravitational constant. This happy result allows one to analyze the orbits of marbles and coins as they roll across the surface in some detail, providing very nice analogues for a wealth of topics in celestial mechanics, from Kepler’s laws to tides and the Roche limit. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
45.50.Pk Celestial mechanics
95.10.Ce Celestial mechanics (including n-body problems)

Partition functions and symmetric polynomials

Heinz-Jürgen Schmidt and Jürgen Schnack

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 53 | Cited 4 times

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We find a close correspondence between the partition functions of ideal quantum gases and certain symmetric polynomials. From this correspondence, it can be shown that a number of thermodynamic identities that have recently been considered in the literature are essentially of combinatorial origin and have been known for a long time as theorems on symmetric polynomials. For example, a recurrence relation for partition functions in the textbook by P. Landsberg is Newton’s identity in disguised form. Conversely, a theorem on symmetric polynomials translates into a new and unexpected relation between fermion and boson partition functions, which can be used to express the former by means of the latter and vice versa. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
05.70.-a Thermodynamics
05.20.-y Classical statistical mechanics
05.30.Fk Fermion systems and electron gas
05.30.Jp Boson systems

The calculated photon: Visualization of a quantum field

Martin Ligare and Ryan Oliveri

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 58 | Cited 3 times

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We calculate spatial localization and phase properties of spontaneously emitted photons. Our model is simple yet fully quantized: the emitting atom is a two-level atom located in a one-dimensional multimode optical cavity. Although the photon state vector does not have a position-space representation, the expectation value of the square of the electric field operator (intensity) is spatially localized and this pattern shifts at the speed of light. The emitted photon exhibits classical-like phase properties in the intensity expectation value when it “interferes with itself” after reflection. The phase properties of the emitted radiation are also evident at times sufficiently long for the radiation to have returned to the emitting atom before the decay of excited atomic state is complete. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
42.50.-p Quantum optics
03.75.-b Matter waves

The attractive nonlinear delta-function potential

M. I. Molina and C. A. Bustamante

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 67 | Cited 3 times

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We solve the one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation for an attractive delta-function potential at the origin, [(p2/2m)−Ωδ(x)∣ϕ(x)∣α]ϕ(x)=Eϕ(x), and obtain the bound state in closed form as a function of the nonlinear exponent α. The bound state probability profile decays exponentially away from the origin, with a profile width that increases monotonically with α, becoming an almost completely extended state when α→2−. At α=2, the bound state suffers a discontinuous change to a delta function-like profile. A further increase of α increases the width of the probability profile, although the bound state is stable only for α<2. The transmission of plane waves across the potential increases monotonically with α and is insensitive to the sign of the opacity Ω. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
03.65.Ge Solutions of wave equations: bound states

One-dimensional laser cooling of an atomic beam in a sealed vapor cell

C. J. Vale, M. R. Walkiewicz, P. M. Farrell, and R. E. Scholten

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 71 | Cited 1 time

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We describe a simple experiment that demonstrates one-dimensional laser cooling in a sealed vapor cell. A velocity selective optical pumping scheme was first used to define a collimated beam of atoms within the cell. A particular velocity group of atoms was labeled by optical pumping with one laser and detected by absorption with a second laser. Transverse cooling of this velocity group, which formed an atomic beam between the two laser beams, was then observed by applying a third laser beam, in analogy with transverse cooling of a conventional atomic beam. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
37.10.De Atom cooling methods
37.10.Gh Atom traps and guides
37.10.Vz Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, and ions
32.80.Xx Level crossing and optical pumping
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Comment on “Numerical analysis of Bose–Einstein condensation in a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential,” by Martin Ligare [Am. J. Phys. 66 (3), 185–190 (1998)]—An extension to anisotropic traps and lower dimensions

Martin Ligare

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 76 | Cited 1 time

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© 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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03.75.Hh Static properties of condensates; thermodynamical, statistical, and structural properties
03.75.Kk Dynamic properties of condensates; collective and hydrodynamic excitations, superfluid flow
37.10.De Atom cooling methods
37.10.Gh Atom traps and guides
37.10.Vz Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, and ions
01.50.-i Educational aids

Comment on “Space–time exchange invariance: Special relativity as a symmetry principle,” by J. H. Field [Am. J. Phys. 69 (5), 569–575 (2001)]

O. L. de Lange

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 78

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© 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
03.30.+p Special relativity

Comment on “Reinventing the wheel: Hodographic solutions to the Kepler problems,” by David Derbes [Am. J. Phys. 69 (4), 481–489 (2001)]

Douglas W. Tiberiis

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 79 | Cited 1 time

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© 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.-i Educational aids
95.10.Ce Celestial mechanics (including n-body problems)
45.50.Pk Celestial mechanics
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A course in computer-based data acquisition

W. N. Hubin

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 80 | Cited 3 times

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The evolution of a course in computer-based data acquisition and analysis is described. The physics of the sensors, the physics of the system under study, and practical electrical measurement techniques are emphasized in this course, as well as computer hardware and software. Three experiments of particular physical interest are described in detail: heat flow in a metal plate, light-emitting diode characteristics, and the sounds generated by a speech chip. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.40.Di Course design and evaluation
07.05.Hd Data acquisition: hardware and software
07.05.-t Computers in experimental physics
47.27.T- Turbulent transport processes
85.60.Jb Light-emitting devices
43.72.Ja Speech synthesis and synthesis techniques

Investigating vortical dipolar flows using particle image velocimetry: An experiment for the advanced undergraduate laboratory

Yakov Afanasyev

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 86 | Cited 1 time

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This paper describes a laboratory experiment designed to study vortex dipoles, fascinating structures that occur in geophysical and industrial turbulent flows. A particle image velocimetry measurement system is used to measure the velocity and vorticity fields in the flow. The apparatus required for the experiment is inexpensive and easy to construct. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
47.32.C- Vortex dynamics
47.80.-v Instrumentation and measurement methods in fluid dynamics
47.27.-i Turbulent flows

Determination of melting temperature and heat of fusion of a solid using a computer-interfaced temperature probe

Mahantappa S. Jogad, David Van Domelen, Gary Westfall, Walter Benenson, and S. D. Mahanti

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 89 | Cited 1 time

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This paper describes a relatively simple laboratory exercise enabling students to find the melting temperature of a solid with a low melting point, and to estimate its heat of fusion. © 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
64.70.D- Solid-liquid transitions

A simple demonstration of Mie scattering using an overhead projector

Charles L. Adler and James A. Lock

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 91 | Cited 4 times

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© 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
42.25.Fx Diffraction and scattering
82.70.Kj Emulsions and suspensions
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The World of Physics: Mysteries, Magic, and Myth

John W. Jewett, Jr., Author and Biman Das, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 94

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
01.55.+b General physics

Turn Right at Orion

Mitchell Begelman, Author and Ira Wasserman, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 94

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
95.00.00 Fundamental astronomy and astrophysics; instrumentation, techniques, and astronomical observations
98.80.-k Cosmology

Cosmic Catastrophes

J. Craig Wheeler, Author and Ira Wasserman, Reviewer

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 94

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
95.00.00 Fundamental astronomy and astrophysics; instrumentation, techniques, and astronomical observations
98.80.-k Cosmology
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Erratum: “Book Review of Thomas D. Rossing’s book Science of Percussion Instruments” [Am. J. Phys. 69, 1020–1021 (2001)]

American Journal of Physics -- January 2002 -- Volume 70, Issue 1, pp. 96

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
43.75.Hi Drums
43.75.Kk Bells, gongs, cymbals, mallet percussion, and similar instruments
99.10.Cd Errata
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