Physically, it`s a bit of a weakling
ON loading this attractively illustrated program my first impression
was one of disappointment.
As it comes from one of the more promising software producers,
I had hoped for a lively and imaginative guide to physics formulae
and effects.
But if you're looking for attractive graphics or even some vague
degree of user-friendliness, this program offers little satisfaction.
If, however, you want a plain and simple testing-of-formulae
program, Physics will probably suit you.
The program is menu driven, and offers eight options: Test, List,
Formulae, Instructions, Load Data, Save Data, Add Data, and End.
With the Test option, you are given 10 questions such as:
The power is 4.3W
The current is 6.9A
What is the voltage?
Units?
You have to enter the answer and the correct abbreviation for
the units. If you get the answer wrong, then in the above example,
the response is "Wrong, 4.3/6.9 = 0.623188406. The units of voltage
are V".
Your score at each stage is displayed, and after the 10 questions
it is also given as a percentage.
The full list or quantities and units is given by the List option,
and consists of 28 quantities beginning with mass, density, volume
and ending with resistivity, length, temperature, sine and cosine,
tangent and capacitance.
The list thus covers a reasonable range of basic equations, with
all the units given in the ST convention.
The Formulae option is useful for revision and allows you to
enter a subject, such as "work". It then displays all the formulae
relevant to that subject, in this case:
Work = voltage x charge
Work = power x time
Work = force x distance
Work = temperature x mass
If you read the section on Add Data in the instructions, this
is what you see:
"You may add extra data by keying in your formulae (quantities
in lower case) in the addition section. This data may then be
saved and loaded from tape".
However, I find this feature very confusing and have still not
managed to work out how to use it.
Presumably it lets you expand the subject range to include more
varied equations and to load these as and when you need them.
This program could conceivably find a useful place in schools
or for a revision aid at home for those unfortunate enough to
need to recall a wide range of equations with ease.
But, sadly, it lacks the user-friendly approach which must surely
be a priority for all educational software, and though probably
an effective learning aid, it makes no attempt to use the BBC
Micro's colour, sound or graphic facilities in any way.
Jane Jackson
