Angus Findlay Physics
Office
McCardell Bicen Hall 617
Tel
(802) 443-5505
Email
afindlay@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
Fall term : Monday through Thursday 10:00 am - 11:00 am, or by appointment. Please email to set up a time if necessary.

Courses Taught

Course Description

The Physics of Motion
This calculus-based course examines fundamental topics in motion and mechanics, including inertia, force, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, linear momentum, collisions, gravitation, rotational motion, torque, and angular momentum, emphasizing applications in physics, engineering, the life sciences, and everyday life. Laboratory explorations of topics covered in lecture will build students’ physical intuition and problem-solving skills. Students who have taken a high-school course in physics should consider enrolling in PHYS 0109. (MATH 0121 concurrent or prior; students may not receive credit for both PHYS 0108 and PHYS 0109) 3 hrs. lect/3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Introductory Mechanics
This calculus-based course examines fundamental topics in motion and mechanics, including inertia, force, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, linear momentum, collisions, gravitation, rotational motion, torque, angular momentum, and oscillatory motion, emphasizing applications in physics and engineering. Laboratory explorations of topics covered in lecture will build students’ physical intuition and problem solving skills. (MATH 0121; students may not receive credit for both PHYS 0108 and PHYS 0109) 3 hrs. lect/3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Electricity and Magnetism
The physical principles of electricity and magnetism are developed with calculus and applied to the electrical structure of matter and the electromagnetic nature of light. Practical topics from electricity and magnetism include voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and AC and DC circuits. Laboratory work includes an introduction to electronics and to important instruments such as the oscilloscope. (PHYS 0109, MATH 0122) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2023

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Oscillatory Motion, Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics
This calculus-based course covers oscillations, wave motion, sound, geometrical optics, physical optics, and thermodynamics. Other physics topics may be added at the discretion of the instructor. Lab experiments will explore these topics and develop skills in experimentation and data analysis. (PHYS 0108 or 109) And (MATH 0121) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Electricity and Magnetism (formerly PHYS 0110)
The physical principles of electricity and magnetism are developed with calculus and applied to the electrical structure of matter and the electromagnetic nature of light. Practical topics from electricity and magnetism include voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and AC and DC circuits. Laboratory work includes an introduction to electronics and to important instruments such as the oscilloscope. (PHYS 0108 or 0109, MATH 0122) (Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 0110 and PHYS 0114) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Spring 2025

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Electronics for Scientists
An introduction to modern electronic circuits and devices, emphasizing both physical operation and practical use. Transistors and integrated circuits are considered in both analog and digital applications. Examples and laboratory experiments stress measurement and control applications in the physical and biological sciences. Students will gain hands-on familiarity with the design, use, and troubleshooting of electronic instrumentation. (PHYS 0110) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.

Terms Taught

Winter 2022

Requirements

DED, SCI

View in Course Catalog