Force and Motion: Newton's Laws - Physics (Undergraduate Foundation)

Dynamics explains why objects move, and Newton's laws provide the exact mathematical rules for this movement. This course transitions from basic motion to the rigorous use of force vectors, inertia, and action-reaction pairs. You will learn to handle gravity, tension, and springs while solving resistive problems involving static, kinetic, and fluid friction. We build from first principles to complex systems used in modern machinery. Every machine and structure operates under these principles. Understanding these forces is required to predict when a system will fail, how to build safe cars, and how to design efficient engines. These analytical tools allow you to solve real problems in construction, manufacturing, and transport. This knowledge is the foundation for anyone building or maintaining physical systems. After this course, you will construct precise free-body diagrams to isolate objects from their surroundings. You will acquire the technical skill to calculate acceleration in systems with multiple forces, find centripetal force for circular motion, and use equilibrium laws to find unknown force values. You will master the mathematics of friction on ramps, calculate terminal velocity in fluids, and solve for tension in connected pulley systems. This course is for first-year university engineering and physics students. It also helps technicians who need a refresher and secondary school leavers who want to prepare for undergraduate work. Anyone interested in how things work will find these structured methods useful for clear thinking and scientific problem-solving.

18 hrs

Enrolment valid for 12 months

This course is also part of the following learning track. You may join the track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.

PHY 101: General Physics I - Mechanics

This learning track provides a complete and rigorous treatment of introductory classical mechanics as specified by the NUC Core Curriculum. It is structured to build a comprehensive analytical framework, starting with the mathematical description of motion (kinematics) and progressing through its causes (Newtonian dynamics), the powerful conservation laws, the dynamics of rotating systems, and finally, the principles of universal gravitation. Mastery of this material is the non-negotiable foundation for all subsequent study in physics and engineering. The principles of classical mechanics are the operational language for analysing the physical world. This track provides the essential toolset for solving problems in every field of engineering, from aerospace to civil, and for understanding phenomena from the trajectory of a projectile to the orbits of planets. By the end of this track, you will be able to analyse motion using vectors and calculus, apply Newton's laws to solve any standard dynamics problem, use conservation laws to analyse complex systems and collisions, analyse rotational motion, and solve problems in celestial mechanics. This learning track is a mandatory prerequisite for all first-year university students of physics, engineering, and related physical sciences. It provides the foundational knowledge required for all subsequent courses in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and modern physics.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction

This chapter defines force and moves from describing motion to explaining its causes. It provides the foundation for mechanics by treating forces as vector quantities. Master these basics to solve engineering problems. You will master distinguishing contact from non-contact forces, representing forces as vectors, and using vector addition to find the resultant net force on an object.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

55:07

2. Newton's Laws of Motion

Newton's laws are the main rules for how objects move or stay still. This chapter explains why motion changes and how mass resists these changes. You need these laws to calculate force and acceleration in any machine or structure. You will master using the first law to understand inertia; applying the second law to calculate net force; understanding how mass affects acceleration; and identifying action-reaction force pairs.

Concept Overviews

5 Lessons

1:30:42

3. Some Special Forces

This chapter identifies the specific forces driving mechanical systems. You must master gravity, normal force, tension, and spring force to model physical interactions correctly. These forces are the required inputs for every dynamics equation you will solve. You will master distinguishing mass from weight; calculating normal and spring forces; resolving tension in coupled systems; and constructing precise free-body diagrams to isolate bodies for force analysis.

Concept Overviews

5 Lessons

1:49:09

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

16:08

4. Friction

Friction resists motion between surfaces or through fluids. No real system is perfectly smooth; you must calculate this resistance to predict actual movement. This is essential for designing safe brakes, tyres, and efficient vehicles. You will master the differences between sliding, rolling, and fluid friction; using coefficients to determine motion states; calculating air and water resistance; and resolving terminal velocity.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

1:44:36

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

32:10

5. Equilibrium of Particles

Equilibrium happens when all forces on an object sum to zero, so it does not accelerate. This is the foundation for building safe structures and machines. You will learn how to calculate unknown forces for objects staying still or moving at a steady speed. You will master drawing free-body diagrams, resolving forces into components, calculating rope tensions in different setups, and finding friction limits on flat floors and ramps.

Concept Overviews

2 Lessons

24:39

Problem Walkthroughs

8 Lessons

3:01:01

6. Dynamics of Particles

Dynamics uses Newton's second law to relate force to acceleration. This is the foundation for predicting how vehicles and machinery move. You will learn to calculate the exact motion of particles when various forces act on them. You will master drawing free-body diagrams for moving systems, resolving weight on ramps, calculating acceleration for connected blocks or pulleys, and determining stopping distances while accounting for kinetic friction.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

14:57

Problem Walkthroughs

8 Lessons

1:59:22

7. Uniform Circular Motion

Uniform circular motion covers objects travelling in curved paths at constant speeds. This is vital for road engineering, satellite orbits, and machine design. You will calculate the net inward forces required to maintain these paths. You will master defining centripetal acceleration; calculating safe speeds for flat and banked curves; resolving forces in conical pendulums; and finding critical speed and tension in vertical circles.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

9:14

Problem Walkthroughs

6 Lessons

1:28:48

8. Conclusion

This chapter consolidates Newton's laws to fix your understanding of classical mechanics. It is the final check before you apply these forces to the next modules on work and energy. You will master the summary of the three laws of motion, and the transition from force vectors to energy-based problem solving.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

5:18