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Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets
Course
en
English
8 h
This content is rated 4.5 out of 5
- Self-paced
- Free Access
- Fee-based Certificate
- 8 Sequences
- Introductive Level
Course details
Syllabus
- Week 1 - 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. - Week 2 - 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 ex... - Week 3 - Motion in Two Dimensions
Here we look at kinematics in two-dimensions – specifically, projectiles and objects in circular motion. - Week 4 - 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... - Week 5 - Weight, Friction and Spring Forces
We return to the difference between weight and mass. We introduce Hooke's law for elastic deformations. We consider forces between objects in contact and (for convenience) resolve them into their normal and frictional components – and as usual give you some pr... - Week 6 - Work, Energy and Power
In week 6 we explore work and energy, then power – the rate of doing work. We'll use work and Newton's second law to derive the quantity called kinetic energy. Looking at where work comes from, we'll distinguish two sorts of force – conservative and non-conser... - Week 7 - Momentum and Collisions
It’s time for some smashing fun! Once we've defined momentum we'll use momentum to analyse elastic and inelastic collisions. Stand by for hammers, skateboards, car crashes and a bed of nails… - Week 8 - Gravity
For as long as history – and probably much longer – people have stared at the planets and stars and wondered. Why do they shine? What keeps them moving? Why don't they fall down? So next is gravity – and how it runs the solar system, the galaxy and the univers...
Prerequisite
None.
Instructors
Prof. Joe Wolfe
Professor
School of Physics, Faculty of Science
Dr Elizabeth J. Angstmann
First Year Physics Director
School of Physics, Faculty of Science
Mr Sebastian Fricke
Teacher and laboratory manager
School of Physics, Faculty of Science
Editor
UNSW Australia, based in Sydney, 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 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.
Platform
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