Fundamentals of Physics

Yale University via YouTube

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This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles and methods of physics for students who have good preparation in physics and mathematics. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and quantitative reasoning. This course covers Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, gravitation, thermodynamics, and waves.

Syllabus

1. Course Introduction and Newtonian Mechanics.
2. Vectors in Multiple Dimensions.
3. Newton's Laws of Motion.
4. Newton's Laws (cont.) and Inclined Planes.
5. Work-Energy Theorem and Law of Conservation of Energy.
6. Law of Conservation of Energy in Higher Dimensions.
7. Kepler's Laws.
8. Dynamics of Multiple-Body System and Law of.
9. Rotations, Part I: Dynamics of Rigid Bodies.
10. Rotations, Part II: Parallel Axis Theorem.
11. Torque.
12. Introduction to Relativity.
13. Lorentz Transformation.
14. Introduction to the Four-Vector.
15. Four-Vector in Relativity.
16. The Taylor Series and Other Mathematical Concepts.
17. Simple Harmonic Motion.
18. Simple Harmonic Motion (cont.) and Introduction to Waves.
19. Waves.
20. Fluid Dynamics and Statics and Bernoulli's Equation.
21. Thermodynamics.
22. The Boltzmann Constant and First Law of Thermodynamics.
23. The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Carnot's Engine.
24. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (cont.) and Entropy.

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Reviews

4.6 rating, based on 8 Class Central reviews

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Rishik @rishik

Amazing clarity and depth—perfect for building strong physics fundamentals with ease!
it helps a lot to the students and its quiet ease to the students
Mahmoud L Hossani (Eng. Mahmoud L Hossani)

My Honest Review of the Yale Physics Lectures (by Prof. Shankar) I stumbled on these lectures while trying to understand physics better, and they’re a hidden gem on YouTube. Honestly, it feels like you’re just sitting in a real Yale classroom. Pro…

My Honest Review of the Yale Physics Lectures (by Prof. Shankar)

I stumbled on these lectures while trying to understand physics better, and they’re a hidden gem on YouTube.

Honestly, it feels like you’re just sitting in a real Yale classroom. Professor Shankar doesn’t just throw formulas at you. He explains the why behind everything, in a way that’s actually interesting. He’s funny, draws all over his overhead projector, and you can tell he loves what he’s teaching.

It’s not easy—you’ll need to pay attention and know a bit of calculus. The videos are long and the quality is a little old-school, but that doesn’t matter at all. The teaching is what’s special.

If you’re a student, a curious person, or just someone who wants to really get physics from the ground up, these free lectures are an absolute gift. I learned more from watching these than from a lot of other fancy resources. 10/10 would recommend.
Viviana Michell Paz Tapia

This course has provided me with a great deal of knowledge about the topics. Since I already had some foundational background for the course, it wasn’t difficult for me. It was very interesting, and the instructor’s way of explaining was very “magnetic.” I am very satisfied with this content.
Lami Ararso

This series by Professor Ramamurti Shankar is widely considered one of the gold standards for introductory physics. If you are looking for a course that bridges the gap between high school plug-and-chug math and true conceptual mastery, this is it.
Sharika Shrijita

This course was truly an enriching experience, and I found it extremely valuable. The lessons were well-structured, engaging, and easy to follow, which made learning enjoyable and effective. I gained a deep understanding of the concepts, and the practical examples helped me apply the knowledge in real-world scenarios. The course encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving, allowing me to strengthen my skills significantly. Overall, it has broadened my perspective, enhanced my confidence, and inspired me to explore the subject further. I am grateful for this opportunity and feel much more knowledgeable and capable than before.
Anonymous

The professor seems down-to-earth, honest, upfront. His manner of speaking is easy to understand. He uses appropriate tone and professionalism in his voice. He has a sense of humor. I really like how he agrees to take one's final exam grade for a…

The professor seems down-to-earth, honest, upfront. His manner of speaking is easy to understand. He uses appropriate tone and professionalism in his voice. He has a sense of humor.
I really like how he agrees to take one's final exam grade for a course grade if one can show that much improvement over the mid-term exam (and homework grades). In other words, he's not that hung up on one's past grades as so many instructors are . . .
Unfortunately, not having access to class labs and class discussion sessions online makes one feel out of touch with those students in the classroom who have registered for credit. I feel as if I have only one-third of the pie . . .
Another biggie is the camera focus on the writing/chalk board. The lens seems to rarely change. I CAN'T READ ALL THAT IS WRITTEN ON THE BOARD BY THE PROFESSOR. This is frustrating and inhibits my understanding of the math formulas. Sorry, but it does . . .
Mohammad Zarrar

i am a physics student. being a physics student these are very basic courses and i learned alot of knowledge from these courses . These courses contains very interesting knowledge for physics students beginners .
Makroumi Nora

i m very thankful for having this course. It was very interesting all what we have to know about this subject . Physics is a fascinating science , it helps make sense of the world we live in. Physicists study the interactions between matter and energy to form theories that explain the various phenomenons we see around ourselves. These physics quotes compel us to think about the various aspects of this science.The whole world is governed by the law of physics. all i want to say is thanks to you, and for this opportunity to know the basic thing about this subject . i hope you can give us more and more about it.