This course is part of the Introduction to Mechanics Specialization

Jason Hafner

Offered By

Introduction to Mechanics SpecializationRice University

About this Course

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This course serves as an introduction to the physics of force and motion.  Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects all around us.  They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.  The course follows the typical progression of topics of a first-semester university physics course:  Kinematics, Newton’s Laws, Energy, and Momentum.  Each of five modules 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.  With 100 brief lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive course is similar in detail and rigor to those taught on-campus.  It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses, or more advanced courses in physics.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Mechanics Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

A solid familiarity with algebra and trigonometry.

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Learners will be prepared to critically evaluate real-world data and information regarding motion.

Learners can apply mathematical laws to the motions of objects under a variety of physical circumstances.

Learners will be prepared for more advanced courses in physics.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Mechanics Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

A solid familiarity with algebra and trigonometry.

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Jason Hafner

Professor

Department of Physics and Astronomy

2,970 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

Rice University

Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

7 hours to complete

1D Kinematics

The concepts you need for mathematical and graphical descriptions of uniform and accelerated motion in one dimension.

7 hours to complete

18 videos (Total 106 min), 5 readings, 13 quizzes

18 videos

A Stationary Mass4m

A Smoothly Moving Mass4m

Displacement from Here to There6m

Average Velocity8m

Instantaneous Velocity5m

Distance of a Path 5m

Speed of a Path5m

Velocity and Speed Comparison Chart 6m

The Football Player Solution 5m

The Meeting of the Band Nerds solution 6m

Speeding Up 4m

Acceleration near the Earth 11m

Throwing Chalk Solution 3m

Position 6m

Graphical Kinematics 6m

Throwing Chalk 2 Solution 4m

Acceleration over a Distance 5m

SPT - The Silly One 2m

5 readings

Welcome!10m

Grading Philosophy and Advice10m

University Physics10m

13 practice exercises

Police Officer's Dilemna2m

Displacements?2m

Reading a Kinematics Graph4m

Getting from A to B2m

The Football Player Problem5m

The Meeting of the Band Nerds Problem5m

Harmonic Motion4m

Acceleration Direction2m

Throwing Chalk Problem5m

Kinematics Graph2m

Throwing Chalk 2 Problem5m

Units2m

1D Kinematics Homework4h

Week

Week 2

8 hours to complete

2D Kinematics

The application of kinematics to motion in two dimensions, including practice with vector analysis.

8 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 143 min), 4 readings, 11 quizzes

21 videos

Graphing X and Y3m

The Position Vector 6m

Shoot7m

Shoot and Drop7m

How Much Further?6m

Kinematics in X and Y4m

Trajectory Range, Height, and Time6m

Intro Beer Pong Solution7m

Advanced Beer Pong Solution8m

The Hunter and the Monkey Demo10m

Uniform Circular Motion11m

Circular Motion is Periodic Motion3m

Angular and Translational Motion4m

Tangential and Radial Acceleration5m

Relative Motion6m

Galilean Transformations7m

The Hunter, the Ant, the Butterfly, and the Selfie Stick 18m

The Hunter, the Ant, the Butterfly, and the Selfie Stick 28m

Time Dilation8m

Time Travel6m

SPT - The Balancing Act2m

4 readings

University Physics10m

11 practice exercises

'r'2m

White Cliffs of Dover2m

Greater Acceleration?2m

Perpendicular?2m

Intro Beer Pong Problem10m

Advanced Beer Pong Problem10m

Constants of Uniform Circular Motion2m

Tick Tock5m

Acceleration in the Loop2m

Fastest Frame2m

2D Kinematics Homework4h

Week

Week 3

9 hours to complete

Newton's Laws

How forces affect motion, and the nature of several common forces in mechanics: gravitational, normal, friction, damping, tension, and fictitious.

9 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 133 min), 3 readings, 19 quizzes

21 videos

Newton's First Law3m

Newton's Second Law3m

Newton's Third Law3m

Gravitational Force3m

Normal Force6m

Friction Force11m

Air Drag10m

Liquid Drag 13m

Liquid Drag 212m

Spring Force7m

Tension Force6m

Fictitious Force3m

Pushing Blocks Solution9m

Blocks with Friction Solution7m

Overhill and Underhill 1 Solution6m

When Will It Slide? Solution7m

Atwood Acceleration Solution5m

The Conical Pendulum Solution7m

Overhill and Underhill 2 Solution 5m

Masses on Strings Solution4m

SPT - The Telekinetic Grad Student2m

3 readings

University Physics10m

19 practice exercises

A Mouse on Your Desk2m

Reaction to the Mouse2m

Normal Size2m

Pushing a Book6m

Sky Diving2m

Anchors Aweigh!2m

Time Constant2m

Springy Damping?2m

Frequently Missed Tension Problem2m

Accelerating Elevator2m

Pushing Blocks Problem15m

Blocks with Friction Problem10m

Overhill and Underhill 1 Problem10m

When Will It Slide? Problem15m

Atwood Acceleration Problem10m

The Conical Pendulum Problem10m

Overhill and Underhill 2 Problem10m

Masses on Strings Problem15m

Newton's Laws Homework4h

Week

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Forces and Kinematics EXAM

This module contains the exam that covers Forces and Kinematics. The style is very similar to the homework problems sets, except you must complete it on your own.

6 hours to complete

1 video (Total 2 min)

1 video

SPT - The Beach Ball2m

1 practice exercise

EXAM6h

About the Introduction to Mechanics Specialization

This specialization is for learners who are interested in first-year, university-level physics. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in mechanics including motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, and gravitation. With 100 brief lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses, or more advanced studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. 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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics