How Things Work: An Introduction to Conceptual Physics

About

Imagine if you travelled back in time 100 years, still armed with all of today’s technology and understanding. Would mobile phones, GPS, weather forecasting, medical imaging, self-driving cars, television – be classed as magic? Most sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, until you can “look behind the curtain”.

Conceptual Physics attempts to take the “magic” out of natural phenomena and technology we encounter in everyday life, applying a few principles to make sense of a wide variety of things we encounter in our daily lives and de-mystify the workings of nature and modern technology.

The course begins with an exploration of motion and forces, the laws of velocity, acceleration, friction, and gravity which dictate most aspects of our everyday lives. We then proceed to examine the fundamentals of sound and light waves, the phenomena which are central to our sensory experience of the world around us. In the final part of the course we investigate thermodynamics and energy, an area of scientific enquiry which is increasingly relevant as the world seeks to combat the effects of climate change.

Knowledge is power, and this course, designed for science and non-science students alike, will start you on your journey to understand the principles that underpin the world we live in

Course leader

Prof Niranjan Thatte

Target group

This course is suitable for students who are interested in understanding physics concepts, and how they allow us to understand natural phenomena, and modern technology. The course is suitable for students from physical science backgrounds who have completed one year of undergraduate study, or non-science students at any stage of study. It does not require Maths beyond high school level. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel is encouraged but not required (there will be a short masterclass in the first week)

Course aim

• Re-engage your curiosity about the (natural) world you live in, attempt to understand how things work, try to learn about the physical principles that underpin everyday phenomena in nature.
• Applying the scientific method: Learn about conducting experiments to test a theory. What constitutes a proof.
• Connect science knowledge with everyday life experiences, both natural and man-made. Learn how to carry out “scientific research” by yourself, for yourself.
• Be able to create and interpret graphs; estimate orders of magnitude; correct use of units.
• Apply core concepts, such as energy, forces, momentum, waves, electricity, thermodynamics—to explain and understand everyday phenomena.
• Build and test simple quantitative models (e.g., linear, inverse‑square, exponential) using spreadsheets.
• Quantify uncertainty, distinguish correlation from causation, and critique numerical claims in media.
• Communicate scientific reasoning clearly in short written material and/or presentations.
• Use scientific reasoning to separate science from pseudoscience.

Fee info