An introduction to physics in the context of everyday objects.



How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics

Instructor: Louis A. Bloomfield
Top Instructor
Access provided by Rhenus Assets & Service GmbH & Co. KG
278,332 already enrolled
(3,036 reviews)
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
8 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 8 modules in this course
Start here!
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
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.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of gravity, weight, constant acceleration, and projectile motion working with falling balls.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of Newton's third law including conserved quantities, support forces, work, energy, and mechanical advantage working with ramps.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
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.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concept of frictional forces through experiments with wheels.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of momentum, impulse, angular momentum, angular impulse, and the relationship between potential energy and force using bumper cars.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
This is the final exam.
What's included
1 video1 assignment
Instructor

Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career




Learner reviews
3,036 reviews
- 5 stars
86.12%
- 4 stars
10.44%
- 3 stars
2.07%
- 2 stars
0.52%
- 1 star
0.82%
Showing 3 of 3036
Reviewed on Jun 12, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this course as prof was clear, slow-paced, and highly entertaining as well. Thank you prof for this course and I hope many others will get to learn physics at home!
Reviewed on Jun 27, 2020
This course is extravagantly excellent!In this course you will be able to apply all theorotical knowledge in your practicle life not only in physics but almost every part of your learned theory : )
Reviewed on Jun 26, 2020
tremendous efforts done by the Professor, not only for students but also for the parent who really wish to impart the practical knowledge of basics of physics to their children!!!Thanks a lot.
Explore more from Physical Science and Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Rice University
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Rice University

Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy