Award-Winning Computer Game Simulates Behavior of Coulomb Force
Physics Academic Software Releases ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY

January 21, 1994--ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY is a computer game that helps users
develop a qualitative understanding of the Coulomb force, superposition of
forces, and frictionless motion.

Developed by Ruth Chabay of Carnegie Mellon University, the game is played
with a charged ball on a frictionless surface. As in a traditional field
hockey game, the object of the simulation is to score a goal by propelling
the ball into the net. However, in ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY, the charged ball
moves under the influence of other charged particles that are "glued" down
on the playing field. The player glues these particles in place by
dragging them into position with the mouse. The challenge of the game
comes in designing a configuration of charged particles that will steer
the ball around the obstacles on the playing field and into the net. Force
vectors showing the net force on the ball at each step in the trajectory
can be displayed as the ball moves.

A 1992 Computers In Physics award winner, ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY has been
used successfully with physics students at a variety of levels. High
school students in nonmathematical conceptual physics courses have
benefited from the software, as have more advanced college students in
calculus-based electricity and magnetism courses. Experienced physicists
have also been surprised and intrigued with this game.

Educator response to ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY has been enthusiastic. "This
program has the rare quality in educational software of quickly capturing
the user's interest and encouraging the exploration of all its facets,"
says Julien C. Sprott, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Nancy Moreau, Roy
C. Ketcham High School, comments, "I can foresee students really applying
their skills to design creative configurations. Students are going to love
this program!" And Dean Zollman, Kansas State University, states that
"everyone--from the beginning student to the professional physicist--will
enjoy this program and will gain intuition about Coulomb's law."

ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY is published and distributed by Physics Academic
Software, which is a project of the American Institute of Physics in
cooperation with the American Physical Society and the American
Association of Physics Teachers, as part of a continuing series of
educational software from PAS.

ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY is available for both PC and Macintosh computers. The
PC version requires a PC with VGA graphics, 640K RAM, DOS 3.3 or later, a
Microsoft-compatible mouse, a 3.5" disk drive, and a hard disk with 900K
of available space. A math coprocessor and printer with graphics
capability are highly recommended. The Macintosh version requires a
Macintosh Plus computer or later with system software version 6.0 or
higher. A printer with graphics capability is recommended.

ELECTRIC FIELD HOCKEY may be purchased from Physics Academic Software for
$49.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling for the first package ($12.50
foreign air mail) and $.75 ($4.00 foreign) for each additional package.
Lab Packs, which include ten copies of the software and one User's Manual,
are available for $149.95.
For a limited time, you can purchase the entire PAS collection, with or
without Lab Packs, and save up to 20% off the regular price. Physics
Academic Software offers a no-risk guarantee by providing a full refund
for packages returned within 30 days.

PAS also offers a Standing Order Plan, which brings the latest in
innovative physics courseware to your door, along with exceptional
savings. When you join the Standing Order Plan, you will automatically
receive each new PAS program, with or without Lab Packs, and save up to
20% off the list price.

Orders and requests for the Physics Academic Software 1993-1994 Catalog of
Programs should be directed to The Academic Software Library, Campus Box
8202, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8202. By
telephone, call (800) 955-TASL or (919) 515-7447; FAX (919) 515-2682.

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