Predicting Motion: An Introduction to Classical Mechanics

About the course

Predicting motion is an important part of the natural sciences. Astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry, and geology all use the scientific method to make predictions and make informed decisions about future events. In this class, you will learn how classical mechanics both describes and predicts the motion of objects that we encounter in everyday life. You will learn how to analyze the motion of dropped, thrown, and launched objects (projectiles) along with rotating objects using kinematics and dynamics. You will also learn about kinetic and potential energy, momentum, the center of mass, Newton's law of gravitation, spring forces, harmonic oscillators and waves. This will prepare you for future physics and science courses.