John S. Rigden

Physics in Burma Today

The laws of physics are invariant in all inertial frames of reference. They are also the same in all cultural frames of reference. But the way physicists are trained, the style in which physics is practiced, and the roles of physics and physicists in academia and society differ from one cultural setting to another. Burma is no exception. There is a domestic flavor to much of Burmese physics with the Irrawaddy River, Burmese bamboo, and the music of the pattalar all an integral part of the physics scenario. Perhaps “relevancy,” a demand heard so frequently these days in the United States, has already been achieved in this small nation sandwiched between the subcontinents of China and India. In Burma, three factors exert determining influences on the subject of physics: The physical sciences are not part of the long standing cultural tradition; the students must prepare for competitive and external exams; and the opportunities for pursuing a career as a physicist are extremely limited.

Geometric Approach to Relativistic Dynamics

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.

Letter to the Editor (with reply)

In our article, we reported that soda is effective in the improvement of image quality of the inferior wall. This improvement was induced by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the stomach which increases the distance between the heart and the intestine. We did not examine the effects of the stomach wall. To bring carbon dioxide into stomach, we first tried an oral effervescent agent. However, patients complained of abdominal distension and refused to take it. Therefore, we used soda water which was tolerated by patients and satisfyingly improved the image quality. With regard to the Monzen position, this position is effective in preventing interference due to accumulation of tracer in the liver and biliary systems, but not in preventing interference due to the intestine.

An Individualized Approach to Introductory Physics

Introductory physics courses are typically specialized in that they are designed for a very specific audience; physics majors, premeds, liberal arts students, etc. The categories are numerous. Further, these courses are usually highly structured with homework assignments, laboratories, and lectures establishing the cadence. The majority of students respond by progressing in lock-step fashion through the course. In this course at tne University of Missouri—St. Louis, there is no specialized audience and there is no cadence—more correctly, the cadence is drastically muted. The students supply the rhythm as the learning of physics is made an individual matter. A variety of learning devices are made available, and the student opts those that hold promise for him. No attempt is made to survey the subject of physics; rather, two major topics form the subject content. One of these topics is developed in a quasihistorical fashion to give the student some feel for physics in its verb sense. The conceptual structur...