An introduction to physics in the context of everyday objects.
How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics
4.8
(898 ratings)
129,378 already enrolled!
Offered By
University of Virginia
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
11 hour to complete
Course Introduction
Start here!
1 video (Total 5 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
1 video
2 readings
Suggested Readings10m
Translations10m
1 practice exercise
Preliminary Assessment42m
Week
21 hour to complete
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.
7 videos (Total 49 min), 1 quiz
7 videos
Why Does a Motionless Skater Tend to Remain Motionless?9m
Why Does a Moving Skater Tend to Continue Moving?4m
How Can We Describe the Fluid, Effortless Motion of a Coasting Skater?8m
How Does a Skater Start, Stop, or Turn?16m
Why Does a Skater Need Ice or Wheels in Order to Skate?4m
Skating Summary1m
1 practice exercise
Skating20m
Week
32 hours to complete
Falling Balls
Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of gravity, weight, constant acceleration, and projectile motion working with falling balls.
8 videos (Total 111 min), 1 quiz
8 videos
Why Does a Dropped Ball Fall Downward?4m
How Differently do Different Balls Fall?14m
How Would a Ball Fall on the Moon?9m
How Does a Falling Ball Move After it is Dropped?24m
How Can a Ball Move Upward and Still be Falling?21m
How Does a Ball's Horizontal Motion Affect its Fall?25m
Falling Balls Summary3m
1 practice exercise
Falling Balls20m
Week
42 hours to complete
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.
7 videos (Total 85 min), 1 quiz
7 videos
Why Doesn't a Wagon Fall Through a Sidewalk?11m
Why Does a Sidewalk Perfectly Support a Wagon?7m
How Does a Wagon Move as You Let it Roll Freely on a Ramp?12m
Why is it More Exhausting to Lift a Wagon Up Than to Lower a Wagon Down?29m
Why is it Easier to Pull a Wagon Up a Ramp Than to Lift it Up a Ladder?14m
Ramps Summary3m
1 practice exercise
Ramps20m
Week
52 hours to complete
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.
8 videos (Total 119 min), 1 quiz
8 videos
How Does a Balanced Seesaw Move?17m
Why Does a Seesaw Need a Pivot?13m
Why Does a Lone Seesaw Rider Plummet to the Ground?23m
Why do the Riders' Weights and Positions Affect the Seesaw's Motion?19m
Why Do the Riders' Distances from the Pivot Affect the Seesaw's Responsiveness?17m
How Do the Seesaw's Riders Affect One Another?19m
Seesaws Summary3m
1 practice exercise
Seesaws20m
Week
62 hours to complete
Wheels
Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concept of frictional forces through experiments with wheels.
8 videos (Total 111 min), 1 quiz
8 videos
Why Does a Wagon Need Wheels?9m
Why is Sliding a Box Across the Floor Usually Hardest at the Start?20m
How is Energy Wasted as a Box Skids to a Stop?18m
How Do Wheels Help a Wagon Coast?19m
How do Powered Wheels Propel a Bicycle or Car Forward?17m
How is Energy Present in a Wheel?18m
Wheels Summary2m
1 practice exercise
Wheels20m
Week
72 hours to complete
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.
7 videos (Total 99 min), 1 quiz
7 videos
Does a Moving Bumper Car Carry a Force?18m
How is Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?23m
Does a Spinning Bumper Car Carry a Torque?17m
How is Angular Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?15m
How Does a Bumper Car Move on an Uneven Floor?15m
Bumper Cars Summary3m
1 practice exercise
Bumper Cars20m
Week
81 hour to complete
Final
This is the final exam.
1 video (Total 2 min), 1 quiz
1 practice exercise
Final Assessment42m
4.8
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36%
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Top Reviews
The course was simple and easy to follow! I enjoyed Professor Bloomfield's teaching very much! I definitely would recommend it for anyone who is curious about the basic principles of science!
Great introduction to Physics. I use the concepts taught in this course frequently in everyday life. Professor Bloomfield explains concepts very clearly without getting overly mathematical.
Instructor
Louis A. Bloomfield
Professor of PhysicsAbout University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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