Physics 102 - Electric Potential and DC Circuits (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
Physics 102 - Electric Potential and DC Circuits (Coursera)

This course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how the forces between electric charges are described by fields, and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course follows the typical progression of topics of a first-semester university physics course: charges, electric forces, electric fields potential, magnetic fields, currents, magnetic moments, electromagnetic induction, and circuits. Each module contains reading links to a free textbook, complete video lectures, conceptual quizzes, and a set of homework problems. Once the modules are completed, the course ends with an exam. This comprehensive course series is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught on-campus. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses, or more advanced courses in physics.
Course 2 of 4 in the Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Electric Potential & Capacitors
WEEK 2: Circuits
WEEK 3: Exam

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

Related Courses

The Discovery of the Higgs Boson (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

The Discovery of the Higgs Boson (Coursera)

The discovery of a new fundamental particle at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), CERN is the latest step in a long quest seeking to answer one of physics’ most enduring questions: why do particles have mass? The experiments’ much anticipated success confirms predictions made decades earlier by Peter Higgs and others, and offers a glimpse into a universe of physics beyond the Standard Model.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera)

Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form; galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door; where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it critically with a knowledge of physics to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change (Coursera) Coursera
University of Chicago

Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change (Coursera)

This class describes the science of global warming and the forecast for humans’ impact on Earth’s climate. Intended for an audience without much scientific background but a healthy sense of curiosity, the class brings together insights and perspectives from physics, chemistry, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, and even some economics—all based on a foundation of simple mathematics (algebra).

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Diversity of Exoplanets (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

The Diversity of Exoplanets (Coursera)

In this MOOC, you will have the opportunity to practice several methods of detection and characterisation of exoplanets. You will discover their statistical properties and the current state of knowledge we have in this very recent field of research. You will also understand the limitations and biases of the different detection techniques.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Analyzing the Universe (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Analyzing the Universe (Coursera)

Using publicly available data from NASA of actual satellite observations of astronomical x-ray sources, we explore some of the mysteries of the cosmos, including neutron stars, black holes, quasars and supernovae. We will analyze energy spectra and time series data to understand how these incredible objects work. We utilize an imaging tool called DS9 to explore the amazing diversity of astronomical observations that have made x-ray astronomy one of the most active and exciting fields of scientific investigation in the past 50 years.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Outsmarting intermittency (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Outsmarting intermittency (Coursera)

Solar and wind offer clean and renewable ways to produce large amounts of electricity. They have boomed over the last few years, evolving from an eco-daydream to a major market and showing unprecedented growth rates. Yet, installing solar panels and wind turbines is by no means the end of the story. The electrical grid, which connects production means to the end-users’ sockets, is not a simple electron pipe. It is the beating heart of our electricity system and ensures its stability. Solar and wind raise specific challenges for the grid, and these challenges will have to be tackled if we want to deploy larger amounts of renewable sources.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Internet of Things: Multimedia Technologies (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Internet of Things: Multimedia Technologies (Coursera)

Content is an eminent example of the features that contributed to the success of wireless Internet. Mobile platforms such as the Snapdragon™ processor have special hardware and software capabilities to make acquisition, processing and rendering of multimedia content efficient and cost-effective.

Nov 9th 2026
3 Weeks
Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) (Coursera)

Welcome to the Nordic Particle Accelerator Program's (NPAP) Massive Open Online Courses and to the fascinating world of particle accelerators! Did you know that in the year of 2000 there were more than 15 000 particle accelerators in the world? Yet, today it has grown to more than 30 000 of them! A third of the particle accelerators are dedicated to medical applications, such as radio therapy, and a half are used for ion implantation in semiconductor devices.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera)

Welcome to this Big History course! In this course, renowned scientists and scholars from the University of Amsterdam and beyond will take you on a journey from the Big Bang until today while addressing key questions in their fields. After completing this journey you will have developed a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks