Learn Motion, Energy, Forces and Gravity online for free

The University of New South Wales, Australia and Coursera offers free online course on Mechanics: motion, forces, energy and gravity, from particles to planets.

Mechanics is the basis of much of physics, engineering and other technological disciplines. It begins by quantifying motion, and then explaining it in terms of forces, energy, momentum and forces including gravity. This allows us to analyse the operation of many familiar phenomena around us, but also the mechanics of planets, stars and galaxies.

About the course:
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. You will understand with greater depth many of the wonders around you in everyday life, in technology, in the universe at large. That, in turn, will lead you to look further and deeper into the world and the universe around you. Meanwhile, we think you'll have some fun, too.

This course uses rich multimedia tutorials to present the material: film clips of key experiments, animations and worked example problems, all with a friendly narrator. You'll then do a range of interesting problems to practise what you've learnt, and for assessment. You will use your ingenuity to come up with two experimental investigations using simple, everyday materials (plus a computer).

• Duration: 8 weeks
• Timings: 3 to 6 hours / week

To apply, click here.