Most of the phenomena in the world around you are, at the fundamental level, based on physics, and much of physics is based on mechanics. Mechanics begins by quantifying motion, and then explaining it in terms of forces, energy and momentum. This allows us to analyse the operation of many familiar phenomena around us, but also the mechanics of planets, stars and galaxies.
Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets
UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
33%
started a new career after completing these courses
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got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
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Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Learner Career Outcomes
33%
started a new career after completing these courses
25%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
UNSW Sydney, based in Sydney Australia, was established in 1949 and is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities with more than 50,000 students from over 120 countries. UNSW Sydney aspires to provide students with an outstanding educational experience, which both reflects our strong traditions of excellence, innovation and social justice, and builds on our strengths in scientific, technological and professional disciplines.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Introduction and Basic Tools
This introductory section covers some basic tools you will need to solve some of the physics problems we will encounter later.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 23 min), 2 readings, 6 quizzes
5 videos
Lesson 1.1: Introduction and Context3m
Lesson 1.2: Units and Significant Figures7m
Lesson 1.3: Vectors and Scalars4m
Lesson 1.4: Estimating5m
2 readings
Course structure and grading3m
Week 1 Study Aids10m
6 practice exercises
Start of course survey32m
Introduction and Context8m
Units and Significant Figures (Important skills in this course!)14m
Vectors and Scalars16m
Estimating10m
Week 1 Test22m
1 hour to complete
Velocity and Acceleration
Here we introduce kinematics, in which we describe and quantify movement of objects through space over time. Motion is so important to mechanics (and most of physics) that we'll spend a few weeks establishing the tools and techniques we'll need. We'll leave explaining motion to the later weeks, starting with Newton's laws in week 4. Here we study the simplest case: motion in a straight line.
1 hour to complete
4 videos (Total 24 min), 1 reading, 5 quizzes
4 videos
Lesson 2.2: Acceleration7m
Lesson 2.3: Relating Velocity, Acceleration and Displacement2m
Lesson 2.4: Relative Motion5m
1 reading
Week 2 Study Aids10m
5 practice exercises
Graphing Displacement and Velocity4m
Acceleration14m
Relating Velocity, Acceleration and Displacement4m
Relative Motion4m
Week 2 Test12m
4 hours to complete
Motion in Two Dimensions
Here we look at kinematics in two-dimensions – specifically, projectiles and objects in circular motion.
4 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 25 min), 1 reading, 6 quizzes
4 videos
Lesson 3.2: Combining Vertical and Horizontal Motion3m
Lesson 3.3: Trajectories and Range7m
Lesson 3.4: Uniform Circular Motion6m
1 reading
Week 3 Study Aids10m
5 practice exercises
Projectiles, Falling Vertically Under Gravity14m
Combining Vertical and Horizontal Motion14m
Trajectories and Range6m
Uniform Circular Motion4m
Week 3 Test18m
2 hours to complete
Newton's Laws of Motion
After describing and quantifying motion (weeks 2 and 3), we now start explaining it with Newton's three laws of motion. Knowledge of Newton's laws and the ability to apply them to various situations will allow us to explain much of the motion we observe in the world around us. They are also very important for analysing things (like bridges) that don't move much (a subject called Statics that's important in some Engineering programs). Because Newton's laws are so important, week 4 has five lessons, as well as slightly longer quizzes than the previous chapters.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 35 min), 1 reading, 6 quizzes
7 videos
Lesson 4.2: Inertial and Non-inertial Frames6m
Lesson 4.3: Newton's Third Law2m
Lesson 4.4: Calculating Total Force8m
Lesson 4.5: Practice Problems7m
Historical Interlude3m
The Syllogism1m
1 reading
Week 4 Study Aids10m
6 practice exercises
Newton's Laws of Motion12m
Inertial and Non-inertial Frames14m
Newton's Third Law12m
Calculating Total Force18m
Practice Problems6m
Week 4 Test26m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM MECHANICS: MOTION, FORCES, ENERGY AND GRAVITY, FROM PARTICLES TO PLANETS
by RVJul 20, 2016
Great course. Good explanations and examples. The quizes and tests are not very easy sometimes, but they do you let think again. Very enjoyable! Just the course I was looking for a long time!
by JDMay 19, 2020
Truly amazing for the students aspiring in the field of science and in the real-life application. And also for those who want to revise the concepts of physics.
by RGApr 27, 2020
The course is very useful and is presented in a pleasant way so that we can understand the subject matter clearly and use them in solving real world problems.
by BJul 21, 2020
The course is well-written, the teaching method is fun and entertaining. The instructor is very passionate and enthusiastic about physics.
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