Back to Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets
UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)

Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets

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. This on-demand course is recommended for senior high school and beginning university students and anyone with a curiosity about basic physics. (The survey tells us that it's often used by science teachers, too.) The course uses rich multimedia tutorials to present the material: film clips of key experiments, animations and worked example problems, all with a friendly narrator. You'll do a range of interesting practice problems, and in an optional component, you will use your ingenuity to complete at-home experiments using simple, everyday materials. You will need some high-school mathematics: arithmetic, a little algebra, quadratic equations, and the sine, cosine and tangent functions from trigonometry. The course does not use calculus. However, we do provide a study aid introducing the calculus that would accompany this course if it were taught in a university. By studying mechanics in this course, you will understand with greater depth many of the wonders around you in everyday life, in technology and in the universe at large. Meanwhile, we think you'll have some fun, too.

BeginnerCourse24 hours

Featured reviews

MD

5.0Reviewed Feb 20, 2021

I loved everyday life, challenging, interesting questions and the presenting of the course.

RB

4.0Reviewed Feb 10, 2018

Great examples and material. Some of the links may not work or are not targeted at the beginner student.

PC

5.0Reviewed Feb 2, 2021

I like it learning this Physics subject in mechanics online without buying the expensive book.

MC

4.0Reviewed Nov 22, 2021

The problems were challenging but it is doable with a lot of patience and hard work. You can do it guys!

JD

5.0Reviewed May 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.

RG

5.0Reviewed Apr 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.

S

4.0Reviewed Jul 14, 2020

Great Challenging Course It will enhance your knowledge in many aspects not only in Newtonian mechanics.

KM

5.0Reviewed Sep 1, 2021

Excellent course and also well-designed syllabus. Prof. Joe Wolfe's way of demonstration for each and every concepts are awesome.

KG

5.0Reviewed Jun 10, 2020

Best Course, Specially the quiz taking criteria is awsome, The concepts of significant figures is great.. Thanks

TS

4.0Reviewed May 13, 2021

I got confused with significant figures and the answers but overall, this course is really good.

YK

5.0Reviewed Nov 29, 2022

Amazing course! The course is easy to understand but not simplified. Problems are complex and exciting.Many thanks to Prof. Joe!

B

4.0Reviewed Jul 21, 2020

The course is well-written, the teaching method is fun and entertaining. The instructor is very passionate and enthusiastic about physics.

All reviews

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