Physics

The Washington County Board of Education on Tuesday approved the purchase of an Advanced Placement physics textbook. The total cost, including shipping, is estimated at $10,643, according to a written staff report.

It would be interesting to know how many citizens of Maryland are aware of an experiment made in 1975-76, over a five-month period, to verify (or falsify) a prediction made by Albert Einstein about his theory of gravity. This experiment was directed by the University of Maryland. Until I read, “Einstein's Universe” by Nigel Calder, I had never read or heard about this study in physics. This book is intended to be a readable account of Einstein's 1905 Special Relativity theory and his 1915 General Relativity theory rather than a personal biography.

John Vernon Alexander Mullendore, 83, of Clear Spring, Md., passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at his home. Born Aug. 31, 1929, in Boonsboro, Md., he was the son of the late Albertus Daniel Mullendore and Frances Young Alexander Mullendore. John was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War, and a member of Joseph C. Herbert American Legion Post 222 of Clear Spring. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, Md., in 1958, with a bachelor of science degree in physics and math.

Julie Elizabeth Bayer and Douglas J. Vile were married on June 7, 2008, at Cape May United Methodist Church in Cape May, N.J. The bride is the daughter of Larry and Susan Bayer of Hagerstown. The bridegroom is the son of Jonathan and Helen Vile of Cape May. The bride is a 2004 graduate of North Hagerstown High School and received a Bachelor of Science in clinical laboratory science/medical technology from Salisbury University in May 2008. She received her certification as a medical technology from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and is employed as a medical technologist with Bostwick Laboratories in Glen Allen, Va. The bridegroom is a 2004 graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School and received a Bachelor of Science in physics from Salisbury University in May 2008.

The following students were named Students of the Month at Washington County Technical High School: Ashley Willingham: Early Childhood Professions Ashley is enrolled in early childhood professions, honors English 11, honors physics, honors world history and psychology. Ashley is a class representative for SkillsUSA/Student Government. Ashley placed at the Maryland SkillsUSA competition for preschool teaching. Ashley plays varsity basketball and soccer at Williamsport High School.

Chelsea Smith and Ivan Zanko have been named Students of the Month for March at Washington County Technical High School. Chelsea is enrolled in health occupations, biomedical science, advanced-placement language, honors world history, honors precalculus and honors physics. She also attends Evening High School, where she is enrolled in English 12. She is the corresponding secretary for her school's Skills-USA/Student Government. Chelsea enjoys listening to music, going to Whitetail Resort, hanging out with friends and playing sports.

Arthur W. Hamilton, 86 JUNE 11, 1922-APRIL 10, 2009 CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Retired Lt. Col. Arthur W. Hamilton, 86, of Chambersburg, died Friday, April 10, 2009, at Penn Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Chambersburg. Born June 11, 1922, in Saxton, Pa., he was the son of the late Wilbert and Maude Kay Hamilton. He received a bachelor's degree in both math and physics from Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio, and a master's degree in management and industrial engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He also was a graduate of the U.S. Navy Line School and the U.S. Army's nuclear physics program.

Modern educators emphasize the concept of continuing education, which encourages all citizens to keep an active mind throughout life. This is a worthy goal as the inevitable decline takes its toll. This awareness has motivated extensive reading in several fields of science to connect the findings of science with philosophy. It is an understatement to say that the effort has been rewarding.   "Faust In Copenhagen: A Struggle For The Soul Of Physics" is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging as well as one of the most revealing pieces of literature among these books.

The two sides of 'quantum' To the editor: The history of quantum energy is a very interesting subject to study. Early in the 20th century, physicists thought that everything they needed to know was discovered, except for a few minor details to be filled in. Physics had become a deterministic science. But soon, some clouds appeared on the horizon. One of the problems was the difficulty in formulating the energy associated in black-body radiation. In layman's terms, scientists could not explain why the color of iron was changing as it was being heated more and more.

Jocelyn Kline and Sean Karraker have been named Students of the Month for January at Washington County Technical High School on Oak Ridge Drive. Jocelyn, a junior, is enrolled in early childhood professions, advanced- placement English language, honors pre-calculus, honors physics and honors world history. Jocelyn is active in her church, where she teaches Bible school, helps organize youth group activities and is involved in a card outreach ministry. Jocelyn is an avid reader; her favorite authors include Michael Phillips and Nancy Lee DeMoss.

John Vernon Alexander Mullendore, 83, of Clear Spring, Md., passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at his home. Born Aug. 31, 1929, in Boonsboro, Md., he was the son of the late Albertus Daniel Mullendore and Frances Young Alexander Mullendore. John was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War, and a member of Joseph C. Herbert American Legion Post 222 of Clear Spring. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, Md., in 1958, with a bachelor of science degree in physics and math.

A Fairplay woman accused of breaking the arms and legs of her 8-month-old daughter told investigators the injuries occurred while exercising the infant, a charging document filed with Washington County District Court said. The documents alleged that Stacey Renee Reese, 25, told investigators “I've always been rough, and I don't mean to hurt her.” Reese, of 7821 Sharpsburg Pike, is charged with six counts, including first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury and first-degree assault.

A Boonsboro woman is facing child abuse charges after her 8-month-old daughter suffered fractures to both arms and legs, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Stacey Renee Reese, 25, of 7821 Sharpsburg Pike, has been charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in serious physical injury, second-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, neglect of a minor and reckless endangerment, according to a news release from sheriff's department spokeswoman Carly Hose.

Joel Hiraldo couldn't be better qualified for the job for which he was just hired - chaplain at the “backstretch,” where nearly 1,000 jockeys, gate crews, trainers, grooms and hot walkers keep the racehorses at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Hiraldo, 36, a native of Puerto Rico, started his racing career there as a jockey 18 years ago. He came to Charles Town in 2004. In October that year, his career hit a temporary snag when a racing accident left him with fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

Under the tutelage of physics teacher Ralph von Philp, Boonsboro High School was one of the most competitive high schools at the Central Maryland Physics competition Feb. 23 at Liberty High School in Carroll County, Md. The competition centered around a “Hunger Games” theme, and encompassed six events that tested the physics and engineering capabilities of students. The events:  In the “Physical Cliff” event, teams were required to engineer a landing pad for eggs dropped from about 4 meters without breaking.

While visiting Italy to celebrate our 30th anniversary, Joanie and I had the good fortune to have a very talented tour guide who exhibited a special pride in announcing that he, Vincenzo, was Roman, not merely Italian. The honor of being Roman is reserved for those born inside the old stone wall that encircled ancient Rome. This wall divided his world into two distinct domains much like the Greeks divided the world into Greek and barbarian. This old idea of thinking in terms of “we” and “they” is still with us in full force and with the same arrogance and self-assurance as in the ancient world.

Building a “West City” Elementary School with an adaptable design was one of the ideas Washington County Board of Education members discussed Tuesday afternoon as they brainstormed ideas for the new school. The adaptability of school space was brought up a few times, in part because the building should last for at least 50 years and educators don't know what technological advances will be made or how learning spaces will be used so far in the future. Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox told board members to think about the physical school and about educational experiences board members would like to be available at a new school.

The Washington County Commissioners included $150,000 in the 2012-13 budget to pay for volunteer firefighter physicals and on Tuesday approved a method for paying the bill. The board voted unanimously to reimburse the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association for the bills it receives for volunteers' physicals performed by Health@Work, an affiliate of Meritus Health, which has contracted to perform the physicals at a cost of $317 each. There will be a lot of physicals, especially for firefighters over 40 years of age who will get annual operational physicals to ensure they are fit for duty.

Joyce Kisner was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for July. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. Kisner, a physical therapy assistant, was nominated for the kind, caring and compassionate manor in which she handles patients, co-workers and students whom she supervises in rehabilitation services. Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work, along with a high degree of initiative in performing work responsibilities; displaying exceptional dependability; exhibiting effective relationships with others; displaying a commitment to service and serving the City Hospital community; and meeting the criteria for the West Virginia University Hospitals-East mission, vision and values.

The trial of a Hagerstown man accused earlier this year of assaulting a child and causing permanent brain damage was rescheduled Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court for two days in November. Darryl Xavier Talley Jr., 25, of 1317 Jay Drive, is charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, second-degree child abuse and first- and second-degree assault in an incident that occurred on or about March 22 or 23, according to court records. A jury trial was scheduled for Thursday, but the state filed a motion to continue the case.