We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Graham Bray

This course consists of 49 individual lessons including videos and quizzes to help you understand the fundamentals of Physics. Science - Beginning With Physics is arranged into four topic sections:

  • Forces
  • Electromagnets
  • Energy
  • Waves

Each topic consists of about 12 lessons, and my videos clearly explain what you need to know and understand. Just watch each video, take notes, and then use the topic quiz questions to test your understanding.

Here's what some of my students have said about my other video courses:

Read more

This course consists of 49 individual lessons including videos and quizzes to help you understand the fundamentals of Physics. Science - Beginning With Physics is arranged into four topic sections:

  • Forces
  • Electromagnets
  • Energy
  • Waves

Each topic consists of about 12 lessons, and my videos clearly explain what you need to know and understand. Just watch each video, take notes, and then use the topic quiz questions to test your understanding.

Here's what some of my students have said about my other video courses:

'Wow, thanks for that - I would happily recommend your materials.'

'We love your videos. My son has struggled with huge amounts of information and has really struggled to cope. Now he is able to watch your videos and grasp the most important information. Your videos have been a life saver.'

'Hi - I bought your videos recently and thought they were absolutely brilliant.'

'I would not hesitate to thoroughly recommend Graham's value for money science video courses to one and all.'

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand more about forces, including speed, gravity, contact forces and pressure
  • Understand more about electromagnets, including voltage and resistance, current and magnetism
  • Understand more about energy, including energy costs, energy transfer, work, and heating and cooling
  • Understand more about waves, including sound, light, wave effects and wave properties

Syllabus

Introduction
Students will understand the basics of Forces, including Speed, Gravity, Contact Forces and Pressure
What is Speed?
The Speed Equation
Read more
Distance /Time Graphs
Relative Motion
Weight and Mass
Gravitational Constants
Forces, Movement and Friction
Air and Water Resistance
Force Diagrams
Moments
Forces and Elasticity
Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure and Pressure in Liquids

In this quiz you will test your knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the Forces section.

Electromagnets
Heating and Cooling - 1
Circuits and Symbols
Current and Potential Difference
Measuring Current and Potential Difference
Resistance
Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Static Electricity
Charged Objects and Electric Fields
Varying the Strength of Electromagnets
Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Forces

Have a go at the following multiple choice quiz to test your knowledge about the work we have covered on Electromagnets!

Energy
Energy Transfers - 1
Energy Transfers - 2
More Energy Transfers
Conservation of Energy
Heating and Cooling - 2
Energy Resources
Generating Electricity
Cost of Electricity - 1
Cost of Electricity - 2
Physical Changes
Movement of Particles

Multiple choice questions to test your knowledge and understanding of the Energy topic

In this section on Waves you will understand the basic ideas behind Sound, Light, Wave Effects and Wave Properties.
Sound - Part 1
Sound - Part 2
Hearing
Light Waves
Reflection
Refraction
Water Waves - Part 1
Water Waves - Part 2
How We See
Colour
Energy and Waves - Part 1
Energy and Waves - Part 2

Multiple choice questions to test your knowledge and understanding of the Waves topic

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of physics concepts like forces, electromagnets, energy, and waves, which are essential for further studies in science and engineering
Uses videos and quizzes, which can help students learn and retain information more effectively through visual and interactive learning experiences
Covers topics such as circuits, magnets, and electricity generation, which are highly relevant to understanding modern technology and its applications
Includes sections on energy costs and resources, which are increasingly important for understanding environmental issues and sustainable practices
Focuses on fundamental concepts, which may require learners to seek additional resources for more advanced applications or specialized topics
Includes multiple choice quizzes to test knowledge, which may not fully assess problem-solving skills or the ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios

Save this course

Save Science - Beginning With Physics! to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science - Beginning With Physics! with these activities:
Review Basic Algebra
Reinforce your understanding of algebraic equations and formulas, which are essential for solving physics problems related to forces, energy, and waves.
Browse courses on Algebra
Show steps
  • Review linear equations and their solutions.
  • Practice solving for variables in formulas.
  • Work through example problems involving algebraic manipulation.
Read 'Physics for Dummies'
Gain a solid foundation in physics principles with a beginner-friendly guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to forces, energy, and waves.
  • Work through the example problems in each chapter.
  • Take notes on key concepts and formulas.
Solve Practice Problems on Speed and Velocity
Improve your problem-solving skills by working through practice problems related to speed, velocity, and other force-related concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Speed
Show steps
  • Find practice problems online or in a physics textbook.
  • Solve each problem, showing your work.
  • Check your answers against the solutions.
  • Review the concepts behind any problems you missed.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Concept Map for Energy Transfers
Solidify your understanding of energy transfers by creating a visual representation of the different types of energy and how they are converted from one form to another.
Browse courses on Energy
Show steps
  • Identify the different types of energy (kinetic, potential, thermal, etc.).
  • Research examples of energy transfers in everyday life.
  • Create a concept map showing the relationships between different energy types and transfers.
Explore 'Six Easy Pieces' by Richard Feynman
Gain a deeper understanding of physics concepts through Feynman's engaging explanations.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to energy, atoms, and gravity.
  • Reflect on Feynman's explanations and how they relate to the course material.
  • Discuss the concepts with classmates or online forums.
Design a Simple Electric Motor
Apply your knowledge of electromagnetism and magnetic forces by designing and building a simple electric motor. This hands-on project will reinforce your understanding of these concepts.
Show steps
  • Research the basic principles of electric motor operation.
  • Gather the necessary materials (wire, magnets, battery, etc.).
  • Build the motor according to your design.
  • Test the motor and troubleshoot any issues.
Create a Presentation on Wave Properties
Deepen your understanding of wave properties by creating a presentation that explains the different types of waves, their characteristics, and their behavior.
Browse courses on Waves
Show steps
  • Research the different types of waves (transverse, longitudinal, etc.).
  • Gather information on wave properties (amplitude, wavelength, frequency, etc.).
  • Create a presentation with clear explanations and visuals.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Science - Beginning With Physics! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Acoustical Engineer
An Acoustical Engineer focuses on the study of sound and vibration, and works in industries such as building design, audio technology, or aerospace. This course may be very useful to an Acoustical Engineer by providing a strong foundation in the basic principles of waves that are central to the field of acoustics. The course has dedicated lessons on sound waves, which are particularly relevant to an Acoustical Engineer. An Acoustical Engineer should take this course to be introduced to the properties of waves, which are critical for understanding sound transmission and manipulation.
Optical Engineer
An Optical Engineer works in the field of light and optics, designing optical systems for cameras, telescopes, lasers, and more. This course is helpful as it includes a basic introduction to the principles of light and wave properties. An Optical Engineer will benefit from an understanding of reflection, refraction, and the basics of light waves. An Optical Engineer should take this course to strengthen their understanding of light, which is critical for working in their field. In particular the modules concerning reflection, refraction, and the general characteristics of light waves are directly applicable here.
Robotics Engineer
A Robotics Engineer designs, develops, and maintains robots and automated systems. This course helps build a basic foundation in physics, which is critically important in the field of robotics. A Robotics Engineer can benefit greatly from the course's modules on forces, energy, and electromagnetism, which are vital for understanding how to build a robot with functional movement, energy supply, and control mechanisms. The discussion of circuits and resistance are also useful for a Robotics Engineer.
Physics Technician
A Physics Technician assists scientists and engineers in research and development by setting up and maintaining lab equipment, conducting experiments, and collecting data. This course helps build a foundation in the core principles of physics, including forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves, which form the basis of many experiments and measurements. A prospective Physics Technician should take this course in particular to gain a fundamental understanding of the physics concepts used in lab work and contribute to scientific research. The course's lesson on topics like circuits, static electricity, and measuring current could be incredibly useful in the day to day of their duties.
Renewable Energy Specialist
A Renewable Energy Specialist works to develop and implement renewable energy technologies, such as solar or wind. This course helps to build a basic foundation in energy, including generation and transfer. A Renewable Energy Specialist should take this course to understand the scientific principles behind the technologies they use. This course's modules on energy transfer, energy resources, and electricity generation are especially pertinent to the daily work of a Renewable Energy Specialist.
Science Teacher
A Science Teacher educates students in various scientific subjects, often specializing in a specific discipline like physics. This course may be beneficial as it introduces the fundamental topics in physics such as forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves. A Science Teacher who wishes to convey these concepts to students will benefit from the clear explanations given here. The section on waves, for instance, might be particularly helpful for an educator teaching optics or acoustics, which are often found within standard curricula of introductory science courses.
Geophysicist
A Geophysicist studies the Earth and its physical properties, which include forces, heat, and waves. This course may be helpful for a Geophysicist by introducing the fundamentals of physics. The course includes modules on forces, energy, and waves and so will be helpful in understanding underlying physical processes on Earth. A prospective Geophysicist might take this course to gain an understanding of the fundamentals and be better equipped to model and interpret geophysical phenomena.
Engineering Technician
An Engineering Technician supports engineers by assisting in the design, development, and testing of various products and systems. This course may be helpful because it helps to develop a basic understanding of physics; many engineering disciplines are based on physical principles. The Engineering Technician will benefit from a better grasp of how different forms of energy behave and interact, as described in the course material on energy transfers, electricity generation and heating. A prospective Engineering Technician should take this course to strengthen the foundational physics knowledge needed for a technical role.
Lab Assistant
A Lab Assistant works in research and development settings, preparing materials for experiments, maintaining equipment, and gathering data. This course may help a Lab Assistant because it provides a basic understanding of physics, covering forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves. This knowledge can help a Lab Assistant better understand the purpose of specific experiments. This course is useful to a prospective Lab Assistant who will be supporting scientific work in a laboratory setting. The course's modules on circuits, magnetism, and light waves directly apply to experiments performed in labs.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer produces documentation on complex technical topics, needing to understand the underlying principles and concepts of science and technology. This course helps build a fundamental understanding of physics, which can be valuable in explaining various technical systems and processes. A Technical Writer might want to take this course to understand topics such as energy production and transfer, including heating and cooling, which are important for explaining how many common systems work. When writing about scientific topics, the information on waves, reflection, and refraction will greatly assist a technical writer.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst examines data, produces reports and makes recommendations. While this role does not directly apply physics principles, this course provides a familiarity with quantitative scientific concepts, which are useful in analytical thinking and data interpretation. The course may be useful for a Data Analyst who would like to understand how data is gathered in scientific contexts, and also for developing their analytical skills. The way that physical data is gathered and measured is discussed in this course in the modules on experiments and measurements.
Science Journalist
A Science Journalist writes for the public about current events and new developments in science. This course may help the Science Journalist gain background knowledge in physics. The course covers the basic physical phenomena a Science Journalist may need to know about, which includes forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves. In particular, the course's treatment of topics related to energy will be helpful to a Science Journalist writing about energy costs, electricity generation, and climate issues. This course helps those wishing to enter this field become familiar with current scientific issues.
Product Designer
A Product Designer imagines and designs products and systems according to user needs and specifications. This course may be useful to a Product Designer who needs to understand the basic physics informing how things work. As such, a Product Designer might want to take the course to gain a basic understanding of how forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves work, which can help them design a functional and efficient product. As designs invariably interact with the world, the Product Designer may find the discussion of energy and contact forces to be potentially helpful.
Patent Attorney
A Patent Attorney represents clients to secure patents on their inventions. While their main focus is law, a Patent Attorney with scientific knowledge may have an advantage. This course may be useful for a Patent Attorney because it introduces the fundamentals of physics, including forces, electromagnetism, energy, and waves. Having knowledge of these concepts will help a Patent Attorney better understand the inventions they are working with. The concepts covered in the module on electromagnetism, for example, may be very useful for a Patent Attorney who is representing clients working with electromagnetic technologies and innovations.
Software Developer
A Software Developer creates and maintains computer programs, often working as part of a team. While this role is not directly linked to physics, this course can be helpful for developing logical thinking skills and a foundation in the scientific method of observation and theory. The Software Developer may find the course useful to expand their problem-solving abilities by exploring how physics problems are set up and solved. The Software Developer may take this course to strengthen skills in logic, which are helpful in this field.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Science - Beginning With Physics!.
Provides a broad overview of physics concepts in an accessible manner. It is particularly helpful for students who need a refresher on fundamental principles before diving into more complex topics. The book covers mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and other essential areas, making it a valuable resource for understanding the core concepts of this course. It serves as a good introductory text.
Offers a collection of accessible lectures by the renowned physicist Richard Feynman. While not a comprehensive textbook, it provides insightful explanations of fundamental physics concepts, including atoms, energy, and gravity. It is more valuable as additional reading to gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of physics. It is not commonly used as a textbook, but it is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about physics.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser