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Eric Meloche, Ph.D.

This comprehensive course covers Newton's Laws of Motion. The course is taught by Dr.E, an award winning instructor with over 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience. The course combines lectures that summarize the important concepts and tutorials that will guide you and help you develop a problem solving strategy. You'll learn how to apply Newton's laws to study particles in equilibrium and the dynamics of particles when forces are acting on them.

Topics include in this class are:

1) Vector Review

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This comprehensive course covers Newton's Laws of Motion. The course is taught by Dr.E, an award winning instructor with over 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience. The course combines lectures that summarize the important concepts and tutorials that will guide you and help you develop a problem solving strategy. You'll learn how to apply Newton's laws to study particles in equilibrium and the dynamics of particles when forces are acting on them.

Topics include in this class are:

1) Vector Review

  • Review vector addition and subtraction,

  • Adding vectors using graphical methods

  • Adding vector using components

2) Newton's First Law

  • Problem solving strategies

  • Free-body diagrams

  • Example problems for objects in equilibrium.

3) Forces

  • Review of push and pull forces

  • Understanding the force of gravity

  • The difference between weight and mass

  • Friction Forces: Kinetic vs Static

  • Normal Forces

  • Tension Forces

  • Forces due to a spring: Hooke's Law

4) Newton's 2nd and 3rd Law

  • Drawing Free Body Diagrams

  • Calculating acceleration

  • Action-reaction pairs

  • Strategy to solve problems

  • Example problems

5) Mastering Problems

a) Elevator Problems

  • Drawing Free body diagrams

  • Calculate acceleration and effective mass

b) Block on a slope

  • Understanding the Free Body Diagram

  • Calculating Acceleration

  • What happens when we add friction - kinetic and static friction

c) Pulleys and Springs

  • Learn how to solve dynamic problems that contain pulleys

  • Atwood's machine: Calculating acceleration and Tension

  • Dealing with springs in series and in parallel

5) Dynamics of Uniform Circular Motion

  • Centripetal forces and centripetal acceleration

  • Problem solving strategies for circular motion

  • Period, frequency, and angular veloctiy

  • Banked curve problems

There are over 60 fully solved problems ranging in difficulty. I've mixed in many conceptual problems as well as algebraic problems to help you practice applying Newton's laws to solve problems.

If at any point you don't understand something in my videos please feel free to reach out. I'm always willing to help someone learn. Physics Ninja always has your back.

If have a specific problem not covered in this class simply email it to me and i'll add a video showing how to solve the problem.

Happy Learning

Dr. E, Physics Ninja and Expert Physics and Math Teacher.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • This course will teach you how to apply newton's laws of motion to solve all types of problems.
  • Draw free body diagrams
  • Learn how to solve problems with pulleys and springs
  • Learn how to solve circular motion problems

Syllabus

Introduction
Example 4: Tension Problem
Vector Notation
Components
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers vector addition and subtraction, which are foundational skills for understanding more advanced physics concepts
Includes over 60 fully solved problems, offering learners ample opportunity to practice and reinforce their understanding
Explores free body diagrams, which are essential for visualizing forces and solving dynamics problems
Examines Hooke's Law, which is a fundamental principle for understanding the behavior of springs and elastic materials
Discusses both kinetic and static friction, which are important concepts for understanding real-world scenarios
Requires learners to understand vector notation, which is a prerequisite for success in physics

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Reviews summary

Mastering physics problem solving with dr. e

According to students, this course offers a highly effective problem-solving strategy for Newton's Laws, praised for its practical focus and numerous solved problems. Learners find Dr. E's teaching style engaging and clear, particularly benefiting those new to physics or preparing for exams. Key strengths mentioned include mastering free-body diagrams and tackling various problem types like pulleys and elevators. While sentiment is largely positive, some noted a need for prerequisite math (vectors) and felt the course could offer more theoretical depth. The pace can feel uneven for some. It's widely seen as an excellent resource for beginners needing hands-on practice.
Some found the teaching pace inconsistent.
"The pace was uneven. Some parts felt too slow, others too fast."
"Some topics felt a bit rushed towards the end..."
"Parts of the course felt too slow, while others went by too quickly."
Ideal for those new to introductory physics.
"Highly recommend for anyone struggling with mechanics."
"Good for absolute beginners..."
"Best physics course I've taken online... Perfect for introductory physics students."
"This course is ideal if you are new to physics or need a strong foundation."
Dr. E's teaching style is highly praised.
"Excellent course! Dr. E breaks down complex concepts..."
"Physics Ninja saves the day! Dr. E is fantastic."
"The instructor's passion is evident."
"Dr. E's energy is contagious."
Strong emphasis on applying laws to problems.
"The problem-solving strategy is gold..."
"It delivered exactly what it promised. I appreciated the variety of examples."
"The structured approach to problem-solving is revolutionary."
"Helped reinforce what I was learning in my university class... particularly useful."
"Good course for building problem-solving skills in physics."
Some found prerequisite math challenging.
"Found this difficult to follow. Assumes a stronger math background than I had (vectors were confusing)."
"I struggled with the vector concepts and felt more math prep was needed."
Focuses on 'how' to solve, less on 'why'.
"More emphasis on just solving problems than understanding the physics."
"Needed to look up supplementary material for better understanding of the underlying theory."
"If you're looking for deep theoretical physics, this course might not be enough."
"It's focused very much on the 'how-to' rather than the 'why'..."

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 100: Mastering Newton's Laws of Motion with these activities:
Review Vector Addition and Subtraction
Reinforce your understanding of vector addition and subtraction, which are fundamental to understanding forces and motion in multiple dimensions.
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of vectors and scalars.
  • Practice adding and subtracting vectors graphically.
  • Practice adding and subtracting vectors using components.
Read 'Physics for Scientists and Engineers' by Serway and Jewett
Expand your understanding of Newton's Laws with a comprehensive textbook that provides numerous examples and practice problems.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to Newton's Laws and forces.
  • Work through the example problems in the book.
  • Attempt the end-of-chapter problems to test your understanding.
Free-Body Diagram Practice
Improve your ability to draw accurate free-body diagrams, a crucial skill for applying Newton's Laws.
Show steps
  • Select a variety of physics problems involving forces.
  • Draw a free-body diagram for each problem, identifying all forces acting on the object.
  • Check your diagrams against solutions or examples.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Forces Concept Map
Solidify your understanding of different types of forces and their relationships by creating a concept map.
Browse courses on Forces
Show steps
  • List all the types of forces covered in the course.
  • Draw a concept map connecting the forces, showing relationships and dependencies.
  • Add examples of each force in real-world scenarios.
Tutor a classmate
Reinforce your understanding by explaining concepts and helping a classmate with problem-solving.
Browse courses on Newton's Laws
Show steps
  • Offer to help a classmate who is struggling with the material.
  • Explain the concepts in your own words.
  • Work through practice problems together.
Read 'Six Easy Pieces' by Richard Feynman
Gain a deeper conceptual understanding of physics principles from a master explainer.
Show steps
  • Read the relevant chapters on mechanics and motion.
  • Reflect on Feynman's explanations and insights.
  • Relate the concepts to the material covered in the course.
Design a Device Using Newton's Laws
Apply your knowledge of Newton's Laws to design a simple device, such as a Rube Goldberg machine or a system of pulleys.
Browse courses on Newton's Laws
Show steps
  • Choose a simple task to automate.
  • Design a device that uses Newton's Laws to accomplish the task.
  • Build a prototype of your device.
  • Test and refine your design.

Career center

Learners who complete Physics 100: Mastering Newton's Laws of Motion will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Physicist
A physicist studies the fundamental laws of the universe. This career typically requires an advanced degree, and it requires a strong foundation in physics, especially classical mechanics. This course provides an introduction to core concepts like Newton’s Laws of Motion. The detailed explanations, problem solving examples, and tutorials may be very helpful. This course provides a good starting point for someone wishing to pursue a career as a physicist.
Mechanical Engineer
A mechanical engineer designs, develops, and tests mechanical devices and systems. This role involves a strong understanding of physics principles, particularly Newton's Laws of Motion, which this course covers in detail. The course's focus on free body diagrams, forces, and problem-solving strategies is essential for success in this career. The course's work with pulleys, springs, and circular motion is very relevant to the design of mechanical systems. A mechanical engineer will benefit greatly from this course.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics engineers design, build, and program robots and automated systems. Proficiency in physics, especially dynamics and mechanics, is very relevant to designing movement for robots. This course covers Newton's Laws of motion, including solving problems with pulleys, springs, and circular motion, all of which are common in robotics. The course introduces essential problem solving strategies. For an aspiring robotics engineer, this course is a great starting point.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. A strong foundation in physics, especially Newton's Laws, is necessary for this role. This course’s detailed work will be of great benefit when analyzing forces, motion, and dynamics, all of which are essential for aerospace design and testing. The course covers vector review, free body diagrams, and problem-solving strategies, which are all foundational for an aerospace engineer. A learner may find this course particularly useful.
Civil Engineer
A civil engineer plans, designs, and supervises the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and tunnels. This job requires a solid understanding of physics, particularly mechanics and statics. This course helps build skills in analyzing forces, dynamics, and equilibrium. The course’s focus on free body diagrams and problem solving is highly relevant to a civil engineer’s daily tasks. This course should be a good fit for someone pursuing a career in civil engineering.
Physics Teacher
A physics teacher educates students in the principles of physics. This job requires a strong understanding of core physics concepts such as Newton’s Laws of Motion, which are covered thoroughly in this course. The course materials offer detailed examples and solved problems which are useful for instruction. A future physics teacher will find this course very useful. The course material may help with lesson planning and practice problem design.
Automotive Engineer
An automotive engineer designs and develops vehicles and their components. A deep understanding of the principles of physics is necessary for success in this field. This course helps build a foundation in Newton’s Laws of Motion, which applies to vehicle dynamics, forces, and motion. The course materials include solving problems related to forces and circular motion which are very relevant to the automotive industry. This course may be useful for future automotive engineers.
Research Scientist
A research scientist conducts experiments and analyzes data to advance scientific knowledge. A strong foundation in physics is essential for many scientific fields, especially those involving mechanics and dynamics. This course covers Newton’s Laws of Motion, and it helps develop skills in problem-solving and analyzing physical systems. The course materials on force, motion, and circular motion are particularly relevant to a research scientist. This course may be useful for those pursuing such roles.
Data Scientist
A data scientist analyzes complex data to derive insights and inform decisions. While not directly related to physical mechanics, the problem solving skills this course offers are very applicable to complex data analysis. The course teaches the use of vector math, which is used across many quantitative disciplines. A data scientist may benefit from the rigor and logical thinking this course provides. The problem solving approach taught in the course may help develop analytical skills.
Software Developer
A software developer writes code to build computer programs and applications. The analytical and logical problem solving taught in this course may be useful to a software developer. The course’s coverage of problem solving strategies may enhance developers' ability to tackle complex problems. This course may be useful for those entering the field of software development. The course may also be useful for those developing programs that simulate physical systems.
Game Developer
Game developers design and create video games. Although this role is not directly related to physics, game developers often need to implement realistic physics into their games. This course’s coverage of Newton's Laws of motion may be useful in this regard. The course’s focus on vectors, forces, and motion also helps build a foundation for game physics programming. This course may be helpful for those interested in a career in game development.
Financial Analyst
A financial analyst analyzes financial data and provides investment recommendations. The quantitative reasoning skills taught in this course may be helpful to a financial analyst. Though the course does not deal directly with finance, the problem solving strategies developed here may be transferrable. A financial analyst, especially one working with complex modeling, may benefit from this course. This course may help in developing a logical and methodical thinking approach.
Architect
An architect plans and designs buildings and other structures. While the core of architecture is design, understanding forces and loads is vital to creating safe structures. This course covers the basics of force, motion, and equilibrium, which may be useful to an architect. The course helps build a foundation in how forces affect physical structures. This course may be helpful as supplementary material for an architect.
Statistician
A statistician collects, analyzes, and interprets data to solve real-world problems. While the core focus is statistical analysis, the problem solving strategies and logical thinking emphasized in this course can be beneficial. The problem solving approach taught in this class may provide an added layer of analytical depth. In particular, the use of vectors in the course may be of interest to those with an advanced statistical background. Those in the field of statistics may find it helpful.
Actuary
An actuary analyzes financial risk and uncertainty, often in the insurance and finance sectors. This career requires strong analytical problem-solving skills. While not directly aligned with physics, the course's focus on force problems may help develop an analytical approach. The course's quantitative aspect and emphasis on problem solving may benefit a future actuary. An actuary may find this course to be a useful supplement to their actuarial training.

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 Physics 100: Mastering Newton's Laws of Motion.
Standard textbook used in many introductory physics courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of mechanics, including Newton's Laws, with numerous examples and practice problems. It useful reference for students who want to deepen their understanding of the material covered in the course. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Offers a conceptual introduction to physics, including mechanics, from a renowned physicist. It provides a different perspective on the fundamental principles. It is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. This book is helpful in providing background and prerequisite knowledge.

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