Key Information
About the content
This course is an introduction to mechanics and follows a standard first-semester university physics course. You will learn fundamental mechanics concepts and mathematical problem solving required for all STEM fields.
The course begins with kinematics, where you will learn to use equations and graphs to describe the position, velocity, and acceleration of an object, and how those quantities are related through calculus. You will then learn how forces affect motion through Newton’s Laws, and how to understand and calculate several different forces, including gravitational, normal force, drag force, and friction force. The concept of energy will be covered, including kinetic energy, potential energy, and how they are affected by work. You will learn how to use the conservation of energy to solve motion problems. Finally, momentum, another “quantity of motion” will be described. You will learn how to calculate momentum, about its relationship to Newton’s laws, and how to use it to solve motion problems, including collisions.
This course is valuable preparation for the equivalent on-campus course, or as supplementary material.
- Kinematics
- Work and Energy
- Momentum and Collisions
- Conservation laws
- How to apply vector analysis and calculus to solve physics problems
Prerequisite
Secondary school (high school) algebra and trigonometry. Calculus is needed but can be learned concurrently.
Syllabus
Week 1: 1D Motion
Week 2: 2D Motion
Week 3: Newton’s Laws
Week 4: Energy
Week 5: Momentum and Collisions
Instructors
Jason Hafner
Professor of Physics, Astronomy and Chemistry
Rice University
Content Designer
Platform
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