How to learn physics?

Understanding your goal in learning physics, whether it’s for academic achievement, career development, or pure curiosity, will focus your studies. Regular study and problem-solving practice are crucial. Join study groups or online forums like Physics Stack Exchange for support. Work on real projects like conducting simple experiments or solving physics problems. Coursera’s How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics by University of Virginia offers a solid foundation in physics concepts.

What are the best physics courses on Coursera?

Top options include How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics from the University of Virginia , Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics from Rice University , and Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism from Rice University . These courses cover classical mechanics , electromagnetism, thermodynamics , and modern physics concepts.

Can I learn physics for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many physics courses offer a free audit option. You can access video lectures and reading materials at no cost. To earn a certificate or complete graded assignments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a physics course on Coursera?

You’ll learn fundamental principles like motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism , and modern topics like quantum mechanics and relativity . Some courses also focus on applying physics to real-world problems or preparing for advanced study in engineering and science .

Do I need a math or science background to take a physics course?

Many introductory physics courses are designed for beginners and start with the basics. However, some courses do require comfort with algebra , trigonometry , or calculus —especially in more technical or advanced topics. Course descriptions typically note any prerequisites.

Can learning physics on Coursera help me in school or my career?

Yes. Physics is foundational in fields like engineering , data science , astronomy , and technology. Coursera courses can support academic success, prepare you for STEM degrees, or help professionals refresh core concepts and analytical skills relevant to their field.

Top Physics Courses - Learn Physics Online

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Find the Best Physics Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Pathway to Space
Skills you'll gain: Global Positioning Systems, Journalism, Environmental Monitoring, Music, Political Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Systems Engineering, Culture, Media and Communications, International Relations, Governance, Higher Education, Physical Science, Liberal Arts, Geographic Information Systems, Physics, Control Systems, Environmental Science, Engineering, Human Factors
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Aprendizaje Activo STEM con Simulaciones Interactivas PhET
Skills you'll gain: Education Software and Technology, Mathematics Education, Simulation and Simulation Software, Simulations, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Experimentation, User Feedback, Interactive Design, Human Computer Interaction, Scientific Visualization, Chemistry, Physics, Biology
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
692 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Mathematical Foundations and Quantum Mechanics Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling, Linear Algebra, Probability, Mathematical Modeling, Computer Science, Algebra, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Physics, Mechanics, Emerging Technologies
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging
Skills you'll gain: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neurology, Medical Imaging, Anatomy, Radiology, Experimentation, Research Design, Psychology, Image Analysis, Medical Terminology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Energy and Environment
Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Environmental Science, Environmental Issue, Environment, Environmental Engineering, Electric Power Systems, Natural Resource Management, Physics, Innovation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Epic Games
Unreal Engine Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Virtual Environment, Version Control, Video Game Development, 3D Modeling, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Game Design, Animation and Game Design, Multimedia, Computer Graphics, Software Installation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Introduction to Materials Science
Skills you'll gain: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Science, Physics, Semiconductors
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
135 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
École Polytechnique
D'un infini à l'autre
Skills you'll gain: General Science and Research, Physics, Scientific Methods, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Research, Laboratory Research, Physical Science, Simulation and Simulation Software
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
ISAE-SUPAERO
New Space: Access to space - Basics
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Engineering, Physics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Epic Games
Game Development and Prototyping
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Prototyping, Unreal Engine, Animation and Game Design, System Design and Implementation, Creativity, User Interface (UI), Artificial Intelligence
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Trauma Emergencies and Care
Skills you'll gain: Trauma Care, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Emergency, Patient Evaluation, Injury Prevention, Triage, Emergency Response, Mechanics, First Aid, Patient Positioning, Health Assessment, Vital Signs, Anatomy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
476 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Practical Quantum Computing with IBM Qiskit for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: IBM Cloud, Cryptography, Algorithms, Python Programming, Linear Algebra, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Theoretical Computer Science, Emerging Technologies, Test Case, Jupyter, Physics, Simulations, Software Installation, Debugging, Development Environment
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months

Searches related to physics

physics 101 - energy and momentum

physics 102 - electric charges and fields

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physics courses

Pathway to Space: University of Colorado Boulder
Aprendizaje Activo STEM con Simulaciones Interactivas PhET: University of Colorado Boulder
Mathematical Foundations and Quantum Mechanics Essentials: Packt
Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging: Johns Hopkins University
Energy and Environment: Dartmouth College
Unreal Engine Fundamentals : Epic Games
Introduction to Materials Science : Arizona State University
D'un infini à l'autre: École Polytechnique
New Space: Access to space - Basics: ISAE-SUPAERO
Game Development and Prototyping: Epic Games

Physics Courses