Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Sunspots, James Mccarty

Honors Theses

This past semester the physics department began a study of the solar wind. Photographic plates have been sent up by balloon during periods of both maximum and minimum solar activity. The tracks made by high-energy particles on these 3mulsions are to be located and analyzed. Unfortunately, since the plates have yet to arrive, only a little practice scanning was done to become familiar with the technique. Meanwhile, an attempt has been made to gather information ab::mt the sun and the solar wind. This paper is a part of that work.

A Report Of Work For H492, Claudia Morgan Griffin

Honors Theses

My research project for this year is to study nuclear emulsion plates sent to the physics department by Dr. Davi.d Young of Mississippi State University and to learn as much as possible about the fields related to the project. These plates are exposed to cosmic rays at altitudes, for all practical purposes, above the earth's atmosphere. They are then collected and processed. They will be sent to us so that we can scan them next semester.

The first semester's part of the project was to scan a sample plate and to do· a literature research of related fields. Therefore, this …

The Chronopotentiometry Of Bismuth, Cynthia Elaine Wilson

Honors Theses

Whenever a constant current electrolysis is performed without stirring, the potentials of the electrodes change with time because the concentrations change at the surfaces of the electrodes. The principle of chronopotentiometry is based upon the idea that since the current is kept constant, the electrolysis proceeds at a constant rate. When the electrolysis circuit is closed, the concentrations of the substances taking part in the electrochemical reaction at the surface of the electrode start to vary. The electrode takes up the equilibrium potential as given by the Nernst equation provided the reaction is reversible. If the transport of the substances …

Plane Protective Geometry, Lana Sue Legrand

Honors Theses

The following study was based on the text A Modern Introduction to Geometries by Annita Tuller, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Hunter College. The study consisted of problem solving at the end of each topic studied. Therefore, this paper contains a brief summary of the topics covered followed by the problems solved with theta respective drawings. No attempted is made to include all of the theorems, axioms, or definitions necessary to solve the problems but page references are given to refer to the text.

The Effect Of Oak Leaves On The Leaching Of Trace Metals From Sand, Thomas Elton Goodwin

Honors Theses

Sand is fairly rich in some common trace metals, notably manganese and iron. However, these metals for the most part are in a state which renders them insoluble in water. It is thought that the presence of organic matter (principally leaves) in the water enhances the dissolution of some of these trace metals into the aqueous solution.

This enhancement of dissolution is generally thought to come about in three main ways: (1) The organic matter present lowers the oxygen content of the water, and the metals are reduced into a soluble form, (2) The organic material, some of which is …

The Development Of The Calculus, Janie Ferguson

Honors Theses

The Greeks made the first step in the inquiry of the infinitely small quantities by an attempt to determine the area of curves. The method of exhaustions they used for this purpose consisted of making the curve a limiting area, to which the circumscribed and inscribed polygons continually approached by increasing the number of their sides. The area obtained was considered to be the area of the curve. The method of integration is somewhat similar, to the extent that it involves finding the limits of sums. Zeno of Elea (c. 450 B.C.) was one of the first to work with …

Acid-Base Titrations In Non-Aqueous Solvents, Gary Rice

Honors Theses

The acid-base titration is one of the simper methods available to the analytical chemist. Many organic compounds exhibit acidic or basic properties. Proper selection of solvent makes possible analytical determination of extremely weak acids and bases. This paper discusses the three solvent properties that are important in determining the acid-base behavior of a solute.

Nomography, Scotty Andrews

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Physics Curriculum Of Ouachita Baptist University, James Mccarty

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to compare the physics curriculum of Ouachita Baptist University with those of several other colleges with the ultimate goal of finding what changes, if any, should by made. Four colleges and universities were used for comparison. Hendrix College is a Methodist college which had an enrollment of 757 during the 1965-66 school year. State College of Arkansas is a state-supported school with 3,129 students during the same year. Little Rock University is a private school which is aided by the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. It had 2,851 students in 1965-66. Southwestern at Memphis …

A Study Of The Curriculum Of The Natural Science Division Of Ouachita Baptist University, Natural Sciences Group

Honors Theses

In our evaluation of the curriculum of the Natural Science Division, we began by reviewing the catalogue descriptions of our courses and evaluating whether the courses meet the objectives given. To do this we divided into departments since our division is so large. Next, we wrote to Hendrix, Little Rook University, Southwestern at Memphis, and State College of Arkansas and compared their course offerings with ours. In this comparison we discovered our strengths and weaknesses and changes that need to be made in our present curriculum. In several cases we decided upon possible alterations which would aid the student going …

A Study Of Computers And Computer Programming, Janet Moffett

Honors Theses

Computers have become a great aid to scientists and businessmen. Their speed and accuracy had enabled much progress in many fields. Although computers are capable of many tasks, they are dependent upon the programmer and can only do what they are told to do. Computers are based on logical organization and act according to organized data.

There are many forms of input used by computers today. Some of the most common forms of input are by typewriter, punched cards, magnetic tape, punched paper taps, and console switches. The typewriter is usually used in accordance with other types of input media. …

Groups, Janie Ferguson

Honors Theses

This paper explores abstract algebra groups.

Studies On The Manganese Cycle, Jim Gilbert

Honors Theses

The first studies on the manganese cycle in impoundments were concerned with the manganese concentrations in and removal from bottom waters of deep impoundments. But as work progressed, the emphasis was more on the investigation of the mechanism by which manganese is dissolved in impounded waters.

Industrial Mathematicians, Mary Beth Mcgee

Honors Theses

What is an industrial, or professional, mathematician? What does he do? Generally, there are two kinds: workers in pure mathematics and workers in applied math.

The pure mathematician likes to play with mathematical laws and principles just to see what will happen. They have mathematical curiosity; they are not especially interested in whether anyone ever finds any use for the result or not. They have the fun of working their problems, and that is the only reward they ask. There is a large group of men and women getting paid good salaries for having such fun; they are the pure …

The Structure And Use Of Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Nancy Goodson

Honors Theses

It is hard to talk about dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) without sounding like an old-time carnival snake-oil salesman. DMSO appears to be good for arthritis, sinusitis, headaches, earaches, sprains, and burns. It reduces swellings, suppresses blisters, kills pain, tranquilizes, and fights germs. It enhances the action of other drugs. It can be swallowed, injected, rubbed on, or dripped in.

Dimethyl sulfoxide is one hundred years old. It was first synthesized by Alexander Saytzeff in Germany in 1866. However, it remained a laboratory curiosity for about three-quarters of a century. No use was found for it until about ten years ago, when …