Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics (Coursera)

This course serves as an introduction to the physics of force and motion. Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects all around us. They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course follows the typical progression of topics of a first-semester university physics course: Kinematics, Newton’s Laws, Energy, and Momentum. Each of five 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. With 100 brief lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive course is similar in detail and rigor to those taught on-campus. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses, or more advanced courses in physics.
What You Will Learn

  • Learners will be prepared to critically evaluate real-world data and information regarding motion.
  • Learners can apply mathematical laws to the motions of objects under a variety of physical circumstances.
  • Learners will be prepared for more advanced courses in physics.

Course 1 of 3 in the Introduction to Mechanics Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
1D Kinematics
The concepts you need for mathematical and graphical descriptions of uniform and accelerated motion in one dimension.

WEEK 2
2D Kinematics
The application of kinematics to motion in two dimensions, including practice with vector analysis.

WEEK 3
Newton's Laws
How forces affect motion, and the nature of several common forces in mechanics: gravitational, normal, friction, damping, tension, and fictitious.

WEEK 4
Forces and Kinematics EXAM
This module contains the exam that covers Forces and Kinematics. The style is very similar to the homework problems sets, except you must complete it on your own.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Foundation of Structural Dynamics (Coursera) Coursera
ISAE-SUPAERO

Foundation of Structural Dynamics (Coursera)

A course with variable geometry where everyone, we hope, will find personal benefits. The parts can be studied sequentially or independently; and inside each part, elementary learning items can be picked up. Globally, this course proposes a deep knowledge of fundamental dynamics, with possible explicit and implicit applications in structural dynamics, but also in physics and control of any dynamic system (automatics, …).

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017 (Coursera)

A total eclipse is one of the most spectacular sights you can ever see! It looks like the end of the world may be at hand. There is a black hole in the sky where the sun should be. Pink flames of solar prominences and long silver streamers of the sun's corona stretch across the sky. It gets cold, and animals do strange things. People scream and shout and cheer, and remember the experience their whole life. But total eclipses are important scientifically as well.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mastering Statics (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Mastering Statics (Coursera)

Statics is the most fundamental course in Mechanics. In this course, you will learn the conditions under which an object or a structure subjected to time-invariant (static) forces is in equilibrium - i.e. the conditions under which it remains stationary or moves with a constant velocity-. You will also learn how to calculate the reaction forces as well as the internal forces experienced throughout the structure so that later you can properly design and size the foundation and the members of the structure to assure the structure’s safety and serviceability.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Wind resources for renewable energies (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Wind resources for renewable energies (Coursera)

The main goal of this course is to get the necessary knowledge on atmospheric and fluid dynamics in order to quantify the wind resource of a local or regional area. We’ll learn about basic meteorology, the specific dynamics of turbulent boundary layers and some standard techniques to estimate wind resources regardless of the type of turbine used or the level of efficiency achieved.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Photovoltaic solar energy (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Photovoltaic solar energy (Coursera)

The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D investments.

Sep 28th 2026
3 Weeks
Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 - Differentiation (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 - Differentiation (Coursera)

Calculus is one of the grandest achievements of human thought, explaining everything from planetary orbits to the optimal size of a city to the periodicity of a heartbeat. This brisk course covers the core ideas of single-variable Calculus with emphases on conceptual understanding and applications. The course is ideal for students beginning in the engineering, physical, and social sciences.

Sep 28th 2026
3 Weeks
Oil & Gas Industry Operations and Markets (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Oil & Gas Industry Operations and Markets (Coursera)

The oil and gas industry has an enormous impact on all aspects of daily life. Individuals, corporations, and national governments make financial and policy decisions based on the cost, use, and availability of these two natural resources. This two-week course looks at the two most fundamental aspects of the oil and gas industry, its operations and markets, each of which is addressed as a separate module in the course.

Sep 30th 2026
2 Weeks
Introduction to Sustainability (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Introduction to Sustainability (Coursera)

This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations. The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Particle Physics: an Introduction (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Particle Physics: an Introduction (Coursera)

This course introduces you to subatomic physics, i.e. the physics of nuclei and particles. More specifically, the following questions are addressed: What are the concepts of particle physics and how are they implemented?; What are the properties of atomic nuclei and how can one use them?; How does one accelerate and detect particles and measure their properties?; What does one learn from particle reactions at high energies and particle decays?; How do electromagnetic interactions work and how can one use them?; How do strong interactions work and why are they difficult to understand?; How do weak interactions work and why are they so special?; What is the mass of objects at the subatomic level and how does the Higgs boson intervene?; How does one search for new phenomena beyond the known ones?; What can one learn from particle physics concerning astrophysics and the Universe as a whole?

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera)

Welcome to this Big History course! In this course, renowned scientists and scholars from the University of Amsterdam and beyond will take you on a journey from the Big Bang until today while addressing key questions in their fields. After completing this journey you will have developed a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Analyzing the Universe (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Analyzing the Universe (Coursera)

Using publicly available data from NASA of actual satellite observations of astronomical x-ray sources, we explore some of the mysteries of the cosmos, including neutron stars, black holes, quasars and supernovae. We will analyze energy spectra and time series data to understand how these incredible objects work. We utilize an imaging tool called DS9 to explore the amazing diversity of astronomical observations that have made x-ray astronomy one of the most active and exciting fields of scientific investigation in the past 50 years.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks