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

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera)

Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that encompass (bio)chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, electrical engineering and more. The present course will provide a survey on some of the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials and their vital role in novel sensing properties and applications. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge at the nanoscale to understand fundamental physical differences at the nanosensors.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mastering bitumen for better roads and innovative applications (Coursera) Coursera
École des Ponts ParisTech

Mastering bitumen for better roads and innovative applications (Coursera)

During the four coming weeks, best experts in bitumen will bring you their knowledge and experience to build a strong understanding of today’s realities and new perspectives on the future of bitumen. Total is the European leader on bitumen markets. Innovation has always been the key to sustainability and durability in the products they develop. Their main objective here is to share technical knowledge and experience to insure bitumen are being used in the most effective and efficient ways for their different applications in road works.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
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)

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.

Aug 17th 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.

Aug 10th 2026
4 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
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
Mécanique du point matériel (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Mécanique du point matériel (Coursera)

Pour illustrer les concepts introduits dans la première partie, on traite ici des problèmes pour lesquels le système mécanique peut être considéré comme un point matériel. Cette partie couvre notamment les problèmes à traiter en coordonnées cylindriques ou sphériques, le problème des orbites des planètes et les référentiels accélérés.

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