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How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics

Approx. 14 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn about the physics behind everyday objects and technologies in this course. From the workings of engines to the properties of materials, gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Key Learning Points

Explore the principles of physics that govern the behavior of everyday objects and technologies
Understand the workings of engines, refrigerators, and other common devices
Gain practical knowledge that can be applied to real-world problems

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

- USA: $70,000 - $115,000
- India: ₹300,000 - ₹1,200,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €45,000
- USA: $70,000 - $115,000
- India: ₹300,000 - ₹1,200,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €45,000
- USA: $65,000 - $105,000
- India: ₹300,000 - ₹1,200,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €40,000
- USA: $70,000 - $115,000
- India: ₹300,000 - ₹1,200,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €45,000
- USA: $65,000 - $105,000
- India: ₹300,000 - ₹1,200,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €40,000
- USA: $75,000 - $120,000
- India: ₹400,000 - ₹1,500,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €50,000

Learning Outcomes

Understand the physics behind everyday objects and technologies
Apply principles of physics to real-world problems
Gain practical knowledge that can be used in a variety of fields

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of physics and mathematics
Comfort with algebra and trigonometry

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

The Science of Everyday Thinking
Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Richard Feynman
Bill Nye
Neil deGrasse Tyson

Related Books

Description

An introduction to physics in the context of everyday objects.

Outline

Course Introduction
Introduction to How Things Work
Suggested Readings
Translations
Preliminary Assessment

Skating
Skating Introduction
Why Does a Motionless Skater Tend to Remain Motionless?
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?
Skating Summary
Skating

Falling Balls
Falling Balls Introduction
Why Does a Dropped Ball Fall Downward?
How Differently do Different Balls Fall?
How Would a Ball Fall on the Moon?
How Does a Falling Ball Move After it is Dropped?
How Can a Ball Move Upward and Still be Falling?
How Does a Ball's Horizontal Motion Affect its Fall?
Falling Balls Summary
Falling Balls

Ramps
Ramps Introduction
Why Doesn't a Wagon Fall Through a Sidewalk?
Why Does a Sidewalk Perfectly Support a Wagon?
How Does a Wagon Move as You Let it Roll Freely on a Ramp?
Why is it More Exhausting to Lift a Wagon Up Than to Lower a Wagon Down?
Why is it Easier to Pull a Wagon Up a Ramp Than to Lift it Up a Ladder?
Ramps Summary
Ramps

Seesaws
Seesaws Introduction
How Does a Balanced Seesaw Move?
Why Does a Seesaw Need a Pivot?
Why Does a Lone Seesaw Rider Plummet to the Ground?
Why do the Riders' Weights and Positions Affect the Seesaw's Motion?
Why Do the Riders' Distances from the Pivot Affect the Seesaw's Responsiveness?
How Do the Seesaw's Riders Affect One Another?
Seesaws Summary
Seesaws

Wheels
Wheels Introduction
Why Does a Wagon Need Wheels?
Why is Sliding a Box Across the Floor Usually Hardest at the Start?
How is Energy Wasted as a Box Skids to a Stop?
How Do Wheels Help a Wagon Coast?
How do Powered Wheels Propel a Bicycle or Car Forward?
How is Energy Present in a Wheel?
Wheels Summary
Wheels

Bumper Cars
Bumper Cars Introduction
Does a Moving Bumper Car Carry a Force?
How is Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
Does a Spinning Bumper Car Carry a Torque?
How is Angular Momentum Transferred From One Bumper Car to Another?
How Does a Bumper Car Move on an Uneven Floor?
Bumper Cars Summary
Bumper Cars

Final
Closing out How Things Work and Keeping In Touch
Final Assessment

Summary of User Reviews

The How Things Work course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. Students found the course to be informative, engaging, and well-paced. One key aspect that many users thought was good was the clear and concise explanations provided by the instructor. However, some users noted that the course required a significant amount of time and effort. Other users mentioned that the course lacked interaction with the instructor and other students. Overall, the course received high praise for its content and instructional design, but some users felt that more support and guidance would have been helpful.

Pros from User Reviews

Informative content
Engaging instruction
Clear and concise explanations
Flexible schedule
Good value for the price

Cons from User Reviews

Requires significant time and effort
Lacks interaction with instructor and peers
Some technical issues with the platform
Course materials could be more interactive
Limited opportunities for personalized feedback

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