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 |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Introduction
Start here!
1 video, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Introduction to How Things Work
- Reading: Suggested Readings
- Reading: Translations
- Practice Quiz: 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
- Video: Skating Introduction
- Video: Why Does a Motionless Skater Tend to Remain Motionless?
- Video: Why Does a Moving Skater Tend to Continue Moving?
- Video: How Can We Describe the Fluid, Effortless Motion of a Coasting Skater?
- Video: How Does a Skater Start, Stop, or Turn?
- Video: Why Does a Skater Need Ice or Wheels in Order to Skate?
- 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
- Video: Falling Balls Introduction
- Video: Why Does a Dropped Ball Fall Downward?
- Video: How Differently do Different Balls Fall?
- Video: How Would a Ball Fall on the Moon?
- Video: How Does a Falling Ball Move After it is Dropped?
- Video: How Can a Ball Move Upward and Still be Falling?
- Video: How Does a Ball's Horizontal Motion Affect its Fall?
- 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
- Video: Ramps Introduction
- Video: Why Doesn't a Wagon Fall Through a Sidewalk?
- Video: Why Does a Sidewalk Perfectly Support a Wagon?
- Video: How Does a Wagon Move as You Let it Roll Freely on a Ramp?
- Video: Why is it More Exhausting to Lift a Wagon Up Than to Lower a Wagon Down?
- Video: Why is it Easier to Pull a Wagon Up a Ramp Than to Lift it Up a Ladder?
- 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
- Video: Seesaws Introduction
- Video: How Does a Balanced Seesaw Move?
- Video: Why Does a Seesaw Need a Pivot?
- Video: Why Does a Lone Seesaw Rider Plummet to the Ground?
- Video: Why do the Riders' Weights and Positions Affect the Seesaw's Motion?
- Video: Why Do the Riders' Distances from the Pivot Affect the Seesaw's Responsiveness?
- Video: How Do the Seesaw's Riders Affect One Another?
- Video: Seesaws Summary
Graded: Seesaws
WEEK 6
Wheels
Professor Bloomfield illustrates the physics concept of frictional forces through experiments with wheels.
8 videos
- Video: Wheels Introduction
- Video: Why Does a Wagon Need Wheels?
- Video: Why is Sliding a Box Across the Floor Usually Hardest at the Start?
- Video: How is Energy Wasted as a Box Skids to a Stop?
- Video: How Do Wheels Help a Wagon Coast?
- Video: How do Powered Wheels Propel a Bicycle or Car Forward?
- Video: How is Energy Present in a Wheel?
- 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
- Video: Bumper Cars Introduction
- Video: Does a Moving Bumper Car Carry a Force?
- Video: How is Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
- Video: Does a Spinning Bumper Car Carry a Torque?
- Video: How is Angular Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
- Video: How Does a Bumper Car Move on an Uneven Floor?
- Video: Bumper Cars Summary
Graded: Bumper Cars
WEEK 8
Final
This is the final exam.
1 video
- Video: Closing out How Things Work and Keeping In Touch
Graded: Final Assessment
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Creators
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.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available | Not available |
| Receive a final grade | Available | Not available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available | Not available |
Ratings and Reviews
This course has a fun and proactive approach to the notions of Physics.
like this course!
A very clear, and well thought out course. I am brand new to physics and this was a fantastic way to get started. It walked me through information carefully, and I never felt lost or confused at any time. The questions and quizzes were well timed and relevant to the content, and really helped solidify information.
The only negative I can mention are some small issues with production, particularly with sound editing, but considering this was a volunteer operation and not part of a full time job I think it is perfectly forgivable.
The teacher clearly knows his stuff and is a really fun instructor, I thoroughly enjoyed this course and hope to see more of his work in the future!
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For people starting out in physics who want to learn the physic concepts, jump right in! This course will help you get ready for a math intensive physics course after this.