Re: [Phys-l] Physics Refresher

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

I've been away from the list for some time, but Bill Lee's note  
struck a lovely chord. John Denker has already recommended it, but I  
want to emphasize the importance of the Feynman Lectures on Physics  
in addressing your "problem". You don't really have a problem! You  
are trying to reestablish a loving relationship that ended some time  
ago, but you are a bit trepid about doing so. Feynman was a lover of  
physics, something that is evident in these transcriptions of his  
lectures. You have the tools, a bit rusty perhaps, to reestablish a  
connection with that old love; you are already equipped to read the  
books. Your salary as a teacher will provide less reward for your  
efforts than you deserve, a few of your students may provide more,  
but reading Feynman, combined with your teaching, will turn on  
brilliantly colored lights in your mind. They will turn on slowly at  
first, but they will become increasingly frequent as you get back  
together with your old love.

I wish you success,

Leigh

On 29 Jan 2007, Bill Lee wrote:

> I'm looking for some advice on the best approach to a physics  
> refresher.   I am 25 years out of school with a BS in Physics and  
> MS in Health Physics.  I have spent the intervening years in an  
> environment where there were no demands on my education or  
> training.  So rusty doesn't begin to describe my current  
> situation.   I am planning on returning to my degree and entering  
> the high school physics classroom in the next 2 years.   I picked  
> up a current textbook (Haliday/Resnick/Walker).  So in addition to  
> working through the book does anyone have a recommendation on how  
> to best sharpen my skills and bring my knowledge up to date?    I  
> have completed the state required coursework to enter the secondary  
> classroom so my main focus now is to revamp my physics knowledge.
>
> Thanks,
> Bill Lee