ABOUT ME
 


I believe physics is best experienced, not just studied in the classroom. One of the reasons I enjoy rock climbing is that it involves concepts like friction, force, work and energy in action.

Most sports use multiple physics principles. In fact, a good understanding of physics can help you improve everything from your golf swing to your pool game.

For example, did you know that when a cue ball hits another pool ball at a glancing angle, the balls will always leave the collision at a 90 degree angle from each other (if there is no spin)? This is physics in action (the conservation of energy and momentum)..

In rock climbing a good understanding of the physics principles at work is necessary to climb safely. All good climbers have an intuitive feel for physics, but fatal mistakes or misjudgements do occur. For example, consider the American "Death" Triangle, a type of climbing anchor that at first glance looks secure but is very dangerous to use:  

American "Death" Triangle (right) :
A dangerous webbing anchor formed by threading a single piece of webbing through two anchors and tying the ends together, forming a triangle whose vectors multiply the force on the anchors; commonly found on fixed anchors, often without rappel dings. For more information visit this link. Or try this physics of climbing anchors link.

 

My approach to teaching is centered on the belief that students learn best when topics are clearly presented in a way that relates directly to their interests and goals. What I love about teaching physics is that regardless of our personal interests or backgrounds, it is always possible to pull out an idea or concept that sparks interest.


EDUCATION

B.S. Physics
Abilene Christian University
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M.S. Physics
Texas Tech University


PHYSICS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos New Mexico
Worked on pion-nucleon scattering experiment (Master's Thesis).
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Fermi National Laboratory
Batavia, Illinois
Participated in high-energy particle experiment.
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Superconducting Super Collider
DeSoto, Texas
Participated in design and construction of muon particle detectors.



OTHER INTERESTS


 

Member of American MENSA
www.us.mensa.org


I've always enjoyed anything related to computers and technology. I'm also a visual person, so I enjoy creating animations, web pages, and multimedia in general. I've also done some oil painting, though none lately. I hope to pick it up again someday. I focus primarily on landscapes because of my love for the outdoors. Below are a couple of paintings I've done.

 

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I took up painting while finishing my physics degree. I think I was looking for another creative outlet that didn't involve numbers and equations! I was suprised by how much physics and problem solving were involved in painting. I've learned that good artists put a lot of mental effort into their work which can be every bit as difficult as solving a hard physics problem. Believe it or not, I don't think I would have been prepared to paint if it were not for what I learned through my physics education. You never know how you will use the things you learn. However, you can't use what you don't learn.

Since painting is so time consuming, I've turned to digital photography these days as a creative outlet. The camera is an optical instrument that is covered in most physics texbooks, but for many beginning photographers exposure and lighting concepts are difficult subjects to master. So again, a bit of physics knowledge can really help in starting a new hobby. Below are a few of my favorite photographs. These were great places to visit.

 

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Copyright © 2006 Professor Meade Brooks.