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

Particle Dynamics (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Particle Dynamics (Coursera)

This course teaches dynamics, one of the basic mechanics subjects of Mechanical Engineering. Students would be able to organize their knowledge about force and motion, work-energy, impulse-momentum in view of Newton's 2nd law and its integration over time and displacement. The Engineering Dynamics consists of two parts: particle dynamics and rigid body dynamics.

Aug 17th 2026
13-24 Weeks
Advanced Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Three Dimensional (3D) Motion (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Advanced Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Three Dimensional (3D) Motion (Coursera)

This course is an advanced study of bodies in motion as applied to engineering systems and structures. We will study the dynamics of rigid bodies in 3D motion. This will consist of both the kinematics and kinetics of motion. Kinematics deals with the geometrical aspects of motion describing position, velocity, and acceleration, all as a function of time. Kinetics is the study of forces acting on these bodies and how it affects their motion.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Particles and Bodies in 2D Motion (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Particles and Bodies in 2D Motion (Coursera)

This course is an introduction to the study of bodies in motion as applied to engineering systems and structures. We will study the dynamics of particle motion and bodies in rigid planar (2D) motion. This will consist of both the kinematics and kinetics of motion. Kinematics deals with the geometrical aspects of motion describing position, velocity, and acceleration, all as a function of time. Kinetics is the study of forces acting on these bodies and how it affects their motion.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
From the Big Bang to Dark Energy (Coursera) Coursera
The University of Tokyo

From the Big Bang to Dark Energy (Coursera)

We have learned a lot recently about how the Universe evolved in 13.7 billion years since the Big Bang. More than 80% of matter in the Universe is mysterious Dark Matter, which made stars and galaxies to form. The newly discovered Higgs-boson became frozen into the Universe a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang and brought order to the Universe.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
Archaeoastronomy (Coursera) Coursera
Politecnico di Milano

Archaeoastronomy (Coursera)

Archaeoastronomy is the “science of stars and stones”: it studies the relationships between the ancient monuments and the sky, in order to gain a better understanding of the ideas of the architects of the past and of their religious and symbolic world. The course provides the first complete, easy introduction to this fascinating discipline.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Electric Utilities Fundamentals and Future (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Electric Utilities Fundamentals and Future (Coursera)

The approach of this course is truly unique in how it approaches and engages learners. It looks at the electric utility industry, which has remained critical to our quality of life, health and comfort from the eyes of numerous industry experts through on-location interviews, compelling visuals, and animation. You will benefit from having the inside track because you see some behind-the-scenes information not covered in news stories, social media or even if we are in the business ourselves.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries (Coursera)

Have you come across large piles of garbage in neighborhoods and streets, or smelly waste disposal sites polluting the environment of low and middle income countries? Are you also convinced that improvements are necessary and do you want to know what kind of sustainable solutions are appropriate to better manage waste and enhance recycling and recovery? If yes, this course is for you!

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Quantum Optics 1 : Single Photons (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Quantum Optics 1 : Single Photons (Coursera)

This course gives you access to basic tools and concepts to understand research articles and books on modern quantum optics. You will learn about quantization of light, formalism to describe quantum states of light without any classical analogue, and observables allowing one to demonstrate typical quantum properties of these states. These tools will be applied to the emblematic case of a one-photon wave packet, which behaves both as a particle and a wave.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Politics and Economics of International Energy (Coursera) Coursera
Sciences Po

Politics and Economics of International Energy (Coursera)

Energy issues have always been important in international relations, but in recent years may have become even more important than in the past due to the widespread awareness of existing limits to energy sources and negative climate impacts. The course discusses global trends in energy consumption and production, various available scenarios for potential developments in the coming decades, the availability of oil reserves and the evolution of the oil industry.

Aug 10th 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.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera)

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.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks