How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/how-things-work

Introduction

**Course Review: How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics** If you've ever found yourself curious about the mechanics behind everyday objects and experiences, then the Coursera course "How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics," taught by Professor Bloomfield, is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of the physical principles that govern our world. **Course Overview** This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to physics, contextualized through relatable, everyday scenarios. Dr. Bloomfield, with his engaging teaching style, makes complex concepts accessible and applicable to daily life. The course is structured to progressively build your understanding of fundamental physics principles while keeping it engaging and relevant. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Course Introduction**: This initial segment sets the stage for what you can expect from the course. It emphasizes the idea that physics is not just a subject confined to classrooms but a part of our daily interactions with the world. 2. **Skating**: Kicking off with the principles of inertia through skateboarding, Professor Bloomfield dives into the core of Newton's first and second laws of motion. He examines why a skater remains motionless until acted upon and how friction plays a crucial role in the motion of skaters. This section is particularly relatable, allowing you to visualize the concepts through a familiar activity. 3. **Falling Balls**: Gravity takes center stage here as the focus shifts to the physics of falling objects. Through various experiments with falling balls, the course illustrates concepts such as constant acceleration and projectile motion, making it easy to grasp foundational ideas about forces and motion. 4. **Ramps**: Here, the analysis of ramps introduces Newton’s third law—action and reaction forces. You’ll explore concepts such as work, energy, and mechanical advantage. This section not only solidifies understanding but also highlights how simple machines like ramps are integral to our daily tasks. 5. **Seesaws**: The fun continues with seesaws that delve into the distinctions between rotational and translational motion. This section elucidates concepts such as torque and angular momentum, revealing the intricate physics at play in simple playground equipment. 6. **Wheels**: Exploring the concept of friction through experiments with wheels demonstrates how this force influences motion. You'll gain a clearer understanding of how wheels facilitate motion and their importance in our daily lives, from bicycles to cars. 7. **Bumper Cars**: In this dynamic section, the course examines various concepts of momentum and impulse with the lively analogy of bumper cars. This engaging exploration ties together potential energy and forces in a context that is not only fun to learn about but also practical. 8. **Final Exam**: The course wraps up with a final exam, reinforcing your new knowledge and allowing you to showcase your understanding of the physics concepts covered. **Recommendation** In conclusion, "How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics" is an excellent choice for anyone looking to grasp the fundamentals of physics through practical examples. Professor Bloomfield's ability to link theory with everyday experiences creates an enriching learning environment that is both informative and enjoyable. This course is highly recommended for high school students, college students, or even lifelong learners who want to cultivate a better understanding of the world around them. Whether you're looking to supplement your studies, refresh your knowledge, or simply feed your curiosity, this course is well worth your time. Enroll today and unlock the secrets of the physical world through the lens of everyday objects!

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Start here!

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.

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of gravity, weight, constant acceleration, and projectile motion working with falling balls.

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of Newton's third law including conserved quantities, support forces, work, energy, and mechanical advantage working with ramps.

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.

Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concept of frictional forces through experiments with wheels.

Professor Bloomfield examines the physics concepts of momentum, impulse, angular momentum, angular impulse, and the relationship between potential energy and force using bumper cars.

This is the final exam.