Coursera

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

Planet Earth ... and You! (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Planet Earth ... and You! (Coursera)

Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences

Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, ice ages, landslides, floods, life evolution, plate motions—all of these phenomena have interacted over the vast expanses of deep time to sculpt the dynamic planet that we live on today. Planet Earth presents an overview of several aspects of our home, from a geological perspective. We begin with earthquakes—what they are, what causes them, what effects they have, and what we can do about them. We will emphasize that plate tectonics—the grand unifying theory of geology—explains how the map of our planet's surface has changed radically over geologic time, and why present-day geologic activity—including a variety of devastating natural disasters such as earthquakes—occur where they do. We consider volcanoes, types of eruptions, and typical rocks found there.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Earth Energy Volcanoes
Details
Our Energy Future (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Our Energy Future (Coursera)

Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences

This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Energy Climate Change Renewable Energy
Details
Ecological and Energy Transitions in Southern Countries (Coursera) Coursera
École normale supérieure

Ecological and Energy Transitions in Southern Countries (Coursera)

Economics & Finance

This MOOC is at the junction between the development of Southern countries and sustainable development. It has: 1) a macroeconomic and financial dimension, developed by Gael Giraud and Alain Grandjean; 2) an ecological and climatic dimension, developed by David Claessen and ENS speakers; and 3) a focus on Southern countries, developed by AFD speakers.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Energy Economic Development Sustainable Development
Details
Global Energy and Climate Policy (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,SOAS University of London

Global Energy and Climate Policy (Coursera)

Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences Social Sciences

The Global Energy and Climate Policy course offers an introduction to the theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate change policies are designed, shaped, advocated and implemented. As energy markets go truly global, domestic energy policies are becoming more and more entangled with wider issues of international governance. Concurrently, the urgent need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and transition to a low-carbon future is adding a further layer of complexity.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Energy Climate Change Renewable Energy
Details
Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets (Coursera) Coursera
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets (Coursera)

Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences Sci: Physics

Most of the phenomena in the world around you are, at the fundamental level, based on physics, and much of physics is based on mechanics. Mechanics begins by quantifying motion, and then explaining it in terms of forces, energy and momentum. This allows us to analyse the operation of many familiar phenomena around us, but also the mechanics of planets, stars and galaxies.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Universe Physics Energy
Details
Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera)

Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences Sci: Physics

This course provides an introduction to the most powerful engineering principles you will ever learn - Thermodynamics: the science of transferring energy from one place or form to another place or form. We will introduce the tools you need to analyze energy systems from solar panels, to engines, to insulated coffee mugs. More specifically, we will cover the topics of mass and energy conservation principles; first law analysis of control mass and control volume systems; properties and behavior of pure substances; and applications to thermodynamic systems operating at steady state conditions.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Physics Energy Thermodynamics
Details
Física: Vectores, Trabajo y Energía (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Física: Vectores, Trabajo y Energía (Coursera)

Sci: Physics

Este curso provee al estudiante con conceptos y herramientas matemáticas para modelar problemas en física, que al aplicar podrá enfrentar con éxito los cursos de física universitarios. Así pues, la filosofía de este curso consiste en cubrir temas conceptuales relativos a la Física y desarrollar tu capacidad de aprender y aplicarlos en tu vida profesional.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Physics Energy Vectors
Details
Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences

Este curso provee al estudiante con conceptos y herramientas matemáticas para modelar problemas en física, que al aplicar podrá enfrentar con éxito los cursos de física universitarios. Así pues, la filosofía de este curso consiste en cubrir temas conceptuales relativos a la Física y desarrollar tu capacidad de aprender y aplicarlos en tu vida profesional.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Math Physics
Details