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Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics

This first course serves as an introduction to the physics of force and motion. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects around us. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This first course covers 1D Kinematics, 2D Kinematics, and Newton's Laws. Each of the three modules contains reading links to a free textbook, complete video lectures, conceptual quizzes, and a set of homework problems. Once the modules are completed, the course ends with an exam. This comprehensive course is similar in detail and rigor to those taught on-campus at Rice. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses or more advanced courses in physics.

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What's inside

Syllabus

1D Kinematics

Here you will be introduced to the course (Section 0), and then we will cover the concepts you need for mathematical and graphical descriptions of uniform and accelerated motion in one dimension.

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Finds a strong fit for beginners seeking an overview of physics

Takes a standard approach to physics that is likely familiar to most

Provides a comprehensive study of the fundamentals of physics

Provides a strong foundation for future physics courses, either at Rice or elsewhere

Meets the expectations of students seeking an introductory physics course online

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Reviews summary

Rigorous physics foundation with practical problem-solving

According to students, Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics is a rigorous and well-structured course that offers a strong foundation in core physics concepts. Learners praise the instructor's ability to explain complex topics clearly and concisely, particularly for vectors and Newton's laws. The homework problems are notably challenging, but many find them fair and crucial for solidifying understanding, often supported by detailed solutions. While conceptual quizzes are helpful, some students note a significant jump in difficulty to homework assignments. This course is highly recommended for those serious about physics, preparing them effectively for university-level studies, though absolute beginners might find the pacing fast and some explanations brief.

Excellently prepares learners for advanced physics coursework.

"This course prepared me well for my university physics class."

"Highly recommend for a strong foundation in kinematics and forces."

"I found it incredibly effective... Highly recommend for anyone needing a strong physics base."

Instructor excels at explaining difficult physics concepts.

"The video lectures are incredibly clear and the instructor explains complex concepts in a way that's easy to grasp."

"The instructor's explanations for vectors and Newton's laws were particularly good."

"The way the instructor broke down vector analysis was superb."

"The instructor is knowledgeable."

Homework problems are challenging but highly effective for learning.

"The homework problems are challenging but fair, really solidifying understanding."

"I found the problem-solving strategies taught to be very practical."

"The course is particularly strong on problem-solving techniques."

"The final exam was comprehensive but fair, reflecting the homework difficulty."

Conceptual quizzes are helpful, but homework presents a steep challenge.

"Some of the conceptual quizzes felt a bit too simple compared to the difficulty of the homework problems, which could be quite a jump."

"...the jump to homework difficulty is noticeable."

"The main area for improvement would be making the transition from conceptual quizzes to the challenging homework less abrupt."

The course can be overwhelming for those completely new to physics.

"This course is too hard for beginners. The lectures move very fast..."

"I felt I was constantly struggling and had to look up a lot of information outside the course."

"It might be better if you already have some background in physics or strong math skills, otherwise, it can be a bit overwhelming."

"I wish there were more guided examples."

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 Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics with these activities:

Read Tipler & Mosca's Physics for Scientists and Engineers: With Modern Physics (8th Edition)

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Review some of the fundamental concepts of physics prior to starting the course.

View Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Extended... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read Chapters 1-4.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the practice problems at the end of each chapter.

Read Serway & Jewett's Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text (5th Edition)

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Review some of the fundamental concepts of physics prior to starting the course.

View Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text,... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read Chapters 1-4.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the practice problems at the end of each chapter.

Practice 1D Kinematics Problems

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Improve your understanding of 1D kinematics by practicing solving problems.

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Find a set of practice problems online or in a textbook.
Solve the problems without looking at the solutions.
Check your answers against the solutions.
Review the problems you got wrong and try to understand why you made mistakes.

Five other activities

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Practice 2D Kinematics Problems

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Improve your understanding of 2D kinematics by practicing solving problems.

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Find a set of practice problems online or in a textbook.
Solve the problems without looking at the solutions.
Check your answers against the solutions.
Review the problems you got wrong and try to understand why you made mistakes.

Practice Newton's Laws Problems

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Improve your understanding of Newton's Laws by practicing solving problems.

Browse courses on Newton's Laws

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Find a set of practice problems online or in a textbook.
Solve the problems without looking at the solutions.
Check your answers against the solutions.
Review the problems you got wrong and try to understand why you made mistakes.

Join a Study Group

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Meet with a group of students to discuss the course material and work on problems together.

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Find a group of students who are taking the same course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Work on practice problems together.
Quiz each other on the material.

Create a Mind Map of Physics Concepts

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Create a visual representation of the relationships between different physics concepts.

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Start with a central concept, such as "Motion".
Brainstorm related concepts and write them down around the central concept.
Draw lines to connect related concepts.
Add more detail to the mind map as you learn more about physics.

Create a Physics Glossary

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Develop a comprehensive reference that will help you understand and remember physics concepts.

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Start by creating a list of all the physics terms you come across in class and while reading.
For each term, write down the definition, an example of how it is used, and a diagram or illustration (if possible).
Organize the glossary alphabetically or by topic.
Review the glossary regularly and add new terms as you learn them.

Career center

Learners who complete Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Physicist

This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Physicist. The course will give you a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.

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Mechanical Engineer

This course in Physics provides a foundation in kinematics and force that is directly relevant to the work of a Mechanical Engineer. Engineers use physics to design and build a range of products, and they need to understand how forces and motion affect these designs.

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Aerospace Engineer

Forces and Kinematics plays a critical role in Aerospace Engineering, since a core responsibility of the job involves designing aircraft that overcome forces to fly. Concepts in this course are directly applicable to this task.

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Science Teacher

This course covers the basics of physics that are typically taught in high school. By completing this course, you will gain a stronger understanding of these concepts and be better prepared to teach them to your students.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers use their understanding of physics to design and build medical devices and prosthetics. Kinematics is critical to understanding body movement and aids Engineers in designing tools to assist those experiencing physical limitations.

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Research Scientist

A background in physics can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role. In this course, you will learn about designing experiments and analyzing data.

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Civil Engineer

An in-depth understanding of forces and their impact on objects is essential for a career as a Civil Engineer. This course prepares you for that work.

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Materials Engineer

A Materials Engineer's work often involves the application of equations that govern the behavior of force and matter. This course helps build a foundation for understanding and using these concepts.

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Product Manager

This course may be useful for a Product Manager, as it will help you develop the skills needed to manage and develop products. The course covers topics such as product planning, product development, and product marketing.

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Data Analyst

This course can be useful for a Data Analyst, as it will help you develop the skills needed to understand and analyze data. The course covers topics such as data collection, data cleaning, and data visualization.

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Project Manager

This course may be useful for a Project Manager, as it will help you develop the skills needed to manage and complete projects. The course covers topics such as project planning, project execution, and project closure.

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Technical Writer

This course may be useful for a Technical Writer, as it will help you develop the skills needed to clearly and accurately explain complex technical concepts.

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Consultant

This course may be useful for a Consultant, as it will help you develop the skills needed to provide consulting services to clients. The course covers topics such as problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.

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Software Engineer

This course may be useful for a Software Engineer, as it will help you develop the skills needed to design and develop software applications. The course covers topics such as object-oriented programming, data structures, and algorithms.

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Financial Analyst

This course may be useful for a Financial Analyst, as it will help you develop the skills needed to analyze and interpret financial data. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, financial modeling, and investment analysis.

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Reading list

We've selected 19 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 Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics .

Essential College Physics Volume 1 (Second Edition)

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The textbook used in the on-campus Rice University version of this course.

Essential College Physics Volume 1 (Second Edition)

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Essential College Physics Volume 1 (Second Edition)

Kindle Edition

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University Physics with Modern Physics in SI Units

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This textbook is written for an algebra-based introductory physics course, but it provides a more in-depth treatment of topics than most other similar textbooks on the market.

University Physics with Modern Physics in SI Units

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College Physics

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This textbook is written for calculus-based introductory physics courses. It good choice for students who want a challenging textbook with a strong emphasis on problem solving.

Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Rigorous physics foundation with practical problem-solving

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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