Relativity in College Physics

Although relativistic concepts are finding increasing application in several active areas of physical research, the subject of relativity is largely avoided in introductory courses in college physics. Concerned about this situation, the Commission on College Physics organized a small meeting at Cornell University in January 1961 to consider the problem. One result of that meeting was the decision to arrange for a larger and more extensive conference on the subject. Plans are now under way for the Cornell Conference on Relativity in College Physics, which is to be held August 5–23 under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. L. G. Parratt, chairman of the Cornell Department of Physics, will serve as director of the conference. It will be attended by some seventy college physics teachers interested in considering ways in which the basic ideas and principles of special and general relativity can be incorporated into first‐ and second‐year courses.