1996 05 00 Physcis Teacher - Vol 34 No 5 - Katherine Sopka

Magazine Overview

Title: The Physics Teacher
Issue: Vol. 34, p. 310
Date: May 1996
Publisher: American Association of Physics Teachers
Focus: This issue of The Physics Teacher contains book reviews and an educational demonstration, with a significant portion dedicated to the Condon Report on UFOs.

Book Reviews

Physics: A World View

Maurice H. Witten reviews 'Physics: A World View,' recommending it as an excellent choice for an introductory general-education physics course. The text is described as well-written, free of technical errors, and even offers a prize for any typographical errors found.

Physics Begins With Another M...Mysteries, Magic, Myth, and Modern Physics

Chris Chiaverina reviews John Jewett, Jr.'s sequel to 'Physics Begins with an M...'. The book is praised for its thought-provoking questions and engaging activities that pertain to the physics of everyday life. It introduces concepts within the context of mysteries, magic, and myth, with the "M" treatment (mysteries, magic, myths) retaining its appeal. The scope has been expanded to include topics from modern physics, such as relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, and cosmology, with an emphasis on connecting these to everyday life. The book is described as attractive, easy to use, and well-organized, with artwork that brings the "mysteries" and "myths" to life. It contains over 250 resources to facilitate further investigation and collectively, with its predecessor, offers over 800 examples of physical phenomena. It is recommended for every physics teacher's library.

Taming the Atom

Jim Stewart reviews Hans Christian von Baeyer's 'Taming the Atom'. The book attempts to explain the quantum mechanical world and the atom to the public, covering its history from Democritus to modern techniques like scanning tunneling microscopy and femtosecond laser chemistry. However, Stewart finds the book's use of analogies and metaphors to be tedious and often unhelpful, hindering understanding. He criticizes the chapter on the atomic landscape for its reliance on metaphor over explanation and its lack of connection between STM images and the text. The explanation of electron duality is also found to be confusing. While acknowledging the book might offer a reasonable description of atomic understanding, Stewart concludes that its overly elaborate language makes it unsuitable for eager high-school or college students.

UFOs: An Insider's View of the Official Quest for Evidence

Katherine R. Sopka reviews Roy Craig's 'UFOs: An Insider's View of the Official Quest for Evidence'. The review centers on Edward Uhler Condon, a respected physicist who led the investigation into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) for the U.S. Air Force. The Condon Report, published in 1969, concluded that no tangible scientific evidence supported the existence of UFOs, leading to disappointment and criticism. Craig, a Ph.D. chemist and field investigator for the project, recounts his experiences in this book. Part I details ten episodes he personally investigated, while Part II discusses internal disagreements within Condon's staff, the writing of an alternate report, and the public reception. Craig also summarizes subsequent developments and offers his perspective on UFOs in human belief. Sopka notes that despite the Condon Report's findings, UFO accounts continue to circulate, attracting those who are suspicious of governmental agencies and the scientific community. Craig's book is presented as an examination of what happened in a sociological and psychological context when a serious investigation was undertaken by reputable scientists.

Educational Demonstration

Unbroken Eggs

Huang Guo-xiong presents a demonstration titled "Unbroken Eggs." It involves setting up a box with fine sand, placing eggs on the sand, covering them with a heavy flat stone, and then topping it with a smaller piece of brick. By hitting the brick with a hammer, the brick breaks, but the eggs remain undamaged. This demonstration is suggested as a useful and safe way to stimulate students' interest in physics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Physics Teacher primarily focuses on reviewing books that bridge the gap between complex physics concepts and public understanding, as well as providing practical resources for educators. The inclusion of a review of a book on UFOs, particularly one related to the Condon Report, highlights the magazine's interest in how scientific inquiry intersects with public perception and belief, even in areas where definitive scientific evidence is lacking. The editorial stance appears to be one that values rigorous scientific investigation and clear explanations, while also acknowledging the public's fascination with scientific mysteries and the importance of engaging educational materials.