From one of my adopters:

[W]hat is the easies part of Physics

My reply:

That’s actually a tough one to answer, since the classes you take are usually adjusted to be challenging — you get “easy” physics at the start, but things aren’t easy when you don’t understand them. And even though classes you take later on are harder, it’s not really as hard as having to learn it “cold,” because you have had the earlier classes. Similar to almost anything you do — it gets easier with practice, and that lets you try more difficult challenges.

So beginning physics, like kinematics, is probably the easiest, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t demanding.

——

Something to add to this, pointed out in the link in my previous post:
The beginning physics is made more difficult because students tend to have misconceptions that have to be corrected. While the later physics is more conceptually difficult, the odds are better that you start with a clean(er) slate.

I’ve been adopted. That’s right, the adopt-a-physicist program has two three groups that want to get to know me (professionally).

The email I got from the program coordinator says there are a few slots open, in case any physicists out there wish to participate. It’s included (nominally spam-proofed) below.

I was just reading through your profiles and it reminded me how much I love this program! There are a wide variety of careers and backgrounds represented, and there are over 100 classes that are eager to participate.

*Classes are “adopting” their physicists as we speak, and can do so until Sept. 25
*You can see the classes that have adopted you when you login in to www.adoptaphysicist.org and view your profile
*Physicists with pictures on their profile are generally first to go, so if you haven’t added one it’s worth thinking about

We still have room for some additional physicists–so if you know anyone that is interested, please have them email me at krand(at)aip.org and I’ll get them set up.

Forums will open on Sept. 29th!

I hadn’t included a picture, and was in fact entering some of my biographical information when the second group adopted me. I think now I won’t add a photo, lest I scare anyone away before selections are done. Then it will be too late, mwuhahahahaha! I’ll get to “converse” with them in a forum setting, and will of course point them here for some of my “lab stories” posts.