New Chemistry and Astronomy Gizmos

After a bit of vacation from our busy 2005 publishing schedule, we are pleased to announce the release of our first batch of 2006 Gizmos.

One of the most basic ideas in physical science is the connection between temperature and particle motion. Three new Gizmos investigate different aspects of this connection. Temperature and Particle Motion explores the relationship of particle velocities to temperature for an ideal gas. In Phase Changes, students can observe phase transitions at the molecular level. In the Collision Theory Gizmo, temperature is one of several factors that influence the rate of a chemical reaction.

The other new Gizmos relate to astronomy. 2D Eclipse is a companion to last year's 3D Eclipse, allowing students to investigate the geometry of eclipses in a more basic setting. In the Star Spectra Gizmo , students are asked to match the spectrum produced by a star to those of known elements. Not only is this a fun challenge, but a surprising amount of information can be gained by analyzing these stellar spectra.

Enjoy using these new Gizmos, and keep your eyes open for more to come!