How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics (Coursera)

How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics (Coursera)
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How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics (Coursera)
An introduction to physics in the context of everyday objects.

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Syllabus


WEEK 1

Course Introduction


WEEK 2

Skating

Professor Bloomfield examines the principle of inertia through skate boarding. Objects at rest tend to remain at rest while objects in motion, tend to remain in motion. Why does a stationary skater remain stationary? Why does a moving skater tend to continue moving? How can we describe the fluid, effortless motion of a coasting skater? How does a skater start, stop, or turn? Why does a skater need ice or wheels in order to skate? Physics concepts covered include Newton's first and second laws and 5 physical quantities: position, velocity, acceleration, force, and mass.


WEEK 3

Falling Balls

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of gravity, weight, constant acceleration, and projectile motion working with falling balls.


WEEK 4

Ramps

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of Newton's third law including conserved quantities, support forces, work, energy, and mechanical advantage working with ramps.


WEEK 5

Seesaws

Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concepts of rotational versus translational motion, Newton's law of rotation, and 5 physical quantities: angular position, angular velocity, angular acceleration, torque, and rotational mass using seesaws.


WEEK 6

Wheels

Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concept of frictional forces through experiments with wheels.


WEEK 7

Bumper Cars

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of momentum, impulse, angular momentum, angular impulse, and the relationship between potential energy and force using bumper cars.


WEEK 8

Final

This is the final exam.



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