Work, Energy, and Momentum - Physics (Undergraduate Foundation)
Master the laws that govern how everything moves, from a simple football to a space rocket. This course teaches you to solve complex physics problems by tracking energy and momentum instead of just forces. You will learn to calculate work, power, and efficiency; use the work-energy theorem to predict speeds; apply conservation laws to collisions; and find the balance point of complex objects using centre of mass principles.
Understanding energy and momentum is the backbone of engineering and modern technology. These principles are used to design safe cars with crash zones, build efficient engines, and calculate rocket trajectories for space exploration. Mastering these concepts allows you to predict the outcome of physical events with high accuracy, making it an essential skill for anyone looking to build machines, design structures, or solve real-world technical problems.
By the end of this course, you will be able to calculate work done by constant and variable forces; apply the principles of kinetic and potential energy to find the velocity of moving objects; and use the law of conservation of energy to solve systems with springs and weights. You will also learn to analyse elastic and inelastic collisions using momentum; calculate impulse and impact forces; and determine the centre of mass for composite shapes and moving systems.
This course is specifically for first-year university students of physics and engineering who need a solid foundation in mechanics. It is also highly beneficial for secondary school leavers preparing for advanced placement exams or those entering technical fields who want to understand the physical laws behind machines and motion. Even those not pursuing a degree will gain a sharp, logical approach to solving problems by learning how energy and matter interact in the physical world.
14 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.
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.
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.
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Course Chapters
1. Introduction1
1. Introduction
1
This chapter explains why energy and momentum methods solve motion problems faster than Newton's laws. It sets the foundation for using scalar and vector principles to handle complex engineering and physics systems.
You will master the course structure; understand the importance of scalar and vector methods; and identify how these principles simplify mechanics calculations.
Concept Overviews
1 Lesson
8:27
2. Work and Kinetic Energy57
2. Work and Kinetic Energy
5
7
This chapter explains how forces do work to change an object's kinetic energy. By using energy instead of just force and acceleration, you can find the speed of an object much faster. This method is the foundation for solving complex engineering and physics problems simply.
You will learn to calculate work for constant, variable, and vector forces; define kinetic energy; apply the work-energy theorem to find speeds; and measure machine performance using power and efficiency.
Concept Overviews
5 Lessons
1:32:08
Problem Walkthroughs
7 Lessons
57:38
3. Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy48
3. Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy
4
8
This chapter introduces the conservation of mechanical energy as a primary tool for solving motion problems without tracking time-dependent forces. It defines how energy is stored in fields and springs, providing a reliable way to predict system behaviour in complex engineering and physics scenarios.
You will learn to calculate gravitational and elastic potential energy; distinguish between conservative and non-conservative forces; apply the law of conservation of energy to multi-stage systems; and use potential energy curves to identify stable or unstable equilibrium states.
Concept Overviews
4 Lessons
1:26:17
Problem Walkthroughs
8 Lessons
1:40:46
4. Linear Momentum and Collisions57
4. Linear Momentum and Collisions
5
7
This chapter introduces linear momentum as a vector tool for analysing collisions and systems with changing mass. It provides a way to predict motion after impacts even when the forces are too complex for Newton's laws alone. Mastering these principles is essential for engineering safety and space flight.
You will learn to calculate momentum and impulse; apply the impulse-momentum theorem to impact forces; use the law of conservation of momentum to solve collision problems; distinguish between elastic and inelastic impacts; and derive equations for systems with varying mass.
Concept Overviews
5 Lessons
1:33:26
Problem Walkthroughs
7 Lessons
1:45:22
5. Centre of Mass34
5. Centre of Mass
3
4
This chapter teaches you how to simplify complex systems by treating them as a single point mass. This method is vital for analysing the motion of large objects, vehicles, and groups of particles without tracking every individual part.
You will learn to calculate the balance point for groups of particles; find the centre of mass for complex composite shapes; determine the velocity of a system's centre of mass; and apply internal motion principles to solve displacement problems.
Concept Overviews
3 Lessons
1:04:06
Problem Walkthroughs
4 Lessons
49:53
6. Conclusion1
6. Conclusion
1
This final chapter links energy and momentum methods to help you choose the best tool for any physics problem. It reinforces how these laws simplify complex motion and prepares you for more advanced engineering topics.
You will master the work-energy theorem; summarise the laws of conservation of energy and momentum; compare scalar and vector methods for solving problems; and identify how these principles apply to rotational motion.
Concept Overviews
1 Lesson
12:16