Joined Connecticut College: 1969

Specializations:

• Low energy molecular collisions
• Methods for teaching physics
• History of physics

Professor Tom Ammirati teaches Principles of Physics, Physics 103 and 104, Modern Science and Technology: Gateway to a New Millenium, Physics 111 and Classical Mechanics, Physics 319.

Some of his recent research has involved re-starting another beam line of the accelerator to resume PIXE (particle/proton-induced X-ray emission) studies on soil samples taken locally. This would provide a non-destructive study of the elemental composition of target materials, basically soil, a technique commonly used by geologists, archaeologists, and art conservators. This research aims to acquaint students with an interesting technique while helping them to learn some fundamentals of physics.

Tom has taught Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, and Optics in the past.

Visit the physics department site.