How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics

About this course: An introduction to physics in the context of everyday objects.

Created by:  University of Virginia

• Taught by:  Louis A. Bloomfield, Professor of Physics

Commitment 11 hours of videos and assessments Language English, Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Korean, German, Urdu, Russian, Hebrew, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Travail en cours

Chaque cours fonctionne comme un manuel interactif en proposant des vidéos préenregistrées, des quiz et des projets.

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Connectez-vous à des milliers d'autres étudiants et débattez sur des idées, discutez le contenu du cours et obtenez de l'aide pour en maîtriser les concepts.

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University of Virginia A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Course Introduction
Start here!


1 video, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Introduction to How Things Work
2. Lecture: Suggested Readings
3. Lecture: Translations
4. Quiz pour s'exercer: Preliminary Assessment

WEEK 2


Skating



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.


7 videos expand

1. Video: Skating Introduction
2. Video: Why Does a Motionless Skater Tend to Remain Motionless?
3. Video: Why Does a Moving Skater Tend to Continue Moving?
4. Video: How Can We Describe the Fluid, Effortless Motion of a Coasting Skater?
5. Video: How Does a Skater Start, Stop, or Turn?
6. Video: Why Does a Skater Need Ice or Wheels in Order to Skate?
7. Video: Skating Summary

Graded: Skating

WEEK 3


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


8 videos expand

1. Video: Falling Balls Introduction
2. Video: Why Does a Dropped Ball Fall Downward?
3. Video: How Differently do Different Balls Fall?
4. Video: How Would a Ball Fall on the Moon?
5. Video: How Does a Falling Ball Move After it is Dropped?
6. Video: How Can a Ball Move Upward and Still be Falling?
7. Video: How Does a Ball's Horizontal Motion Affect its Fall?
8. Video: Falling Balls Summary

Graded: Falling Balls

WEEK 4


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


7 videos expand

1. Video: Ramps Introduction
2. Video: Why Doesn't a Wagon Fall Through a Sidewalk?
3. Video: Why Does a Sidewalk Perfectly Support a Wagon?
4. Video: How Does a Wagon Move as You Let it Roll Freely on a Ramp?
5. Video: Why is it Exhausting to Lift a Wagon Up Than to Lower a Wagon Down?
6. Video: Why is it Easier to Pull a Wagon Up a Ramp Than to Lift it Up a Ladder?
7. Video: Ramps Summary

Graded: Ramps

WEEK 5


Seesaws
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.


8 videos expand

1. Video: Seesaws Introduction
2. Video: How Does a Balanced Seesaw Move?
3. Video: Why Does a Seesaw Need a Pivot?
4. Video: Why Does a Lone Seesaw Rider Plummet to the Ground?
5. Video: Why do the Riders' Weights and Positions Affect the Seesaw's Motion?
6. Video: Why Do the Riders' Distances from the Pivot Affect the Seesaw's Responsiveness?
7. Video: How Do the Seesaw's Riders Affect One Another?
8. Video: Seesaws Summary

Graded: Seesaws

WEEK 6


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


8 videos expand

1. Video: Wheels Introduction
2. Video: Why Does a Wagon Need Wheels?
3. Video: Why is Sliding a Box Across the Floor Usually Hardest at the Start?
4. Video: How is Energy Wasted as a Box Skids to a Stop?
5. Video: How Do Wheels Help a Wagon Coast?
6. Video: How do Powered Wheels Propel a Bicycle or Car Forward?
7. Video: How is Energy Present in a Wheel?
8. Video: Wheels Summary

Graded: Wheels

WEEK 7


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


7 videos expand

1. Video: Bumper Cars Introduction
2. Video: Does a Moving Bumper Car Carry a Force?
3. Video: How is Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
4. Video: Does a Spinning Bumper Car Carry a Torque?
5. Video: How is Angular Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
6. Video: How Does a Bumper Car Move on an Uneven Floor?
7. Video: Bumper Cars Summary

Graded: Bumper Cars

WEEK 8


Final
This is the final exam.


1 video expand

1. Video: Closing out How Things Work and Keeping In Touch

Graded: Final Assessment