Oscillators
Solve the damped, driven oscillator analytically and numerically, and study resonance.
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Physics & maths · 21Intermediate
Theoretical Physicist
Learners aiming at fundamental physics.
Mathematical tools, classical mechanics and electromagnetism, then relativity, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics and statistical thermodynamics.
502hours of coursework
51weeks at 10 h
8steps
30courses
5universities
Target skills
MechanicsPhysicsApplied MathematicsCalculusDifferential EquationsAlgebraGeometryLinear AlgebraIntegral CalculusElectromagneticsElectrical EngineeringMathematical Modeling
Skill labels as listed on Coursera.
Target jobs
- Physics PhD student
- Researcher
- R&D engineer
Progression
- 1Johns Hopkins UniversityBeginner
Stated prerequisites: Basic algebra (no calculus)
Show the 3 courses
Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Linear Algebra: Linear Systems and Matrix Equations Beginner 10 h 4.7 (183) Linear Algebra: Matrix Algebra, Determinants, & Eigenvectors — 15 h 4.8 (79) Linear Algebra: Orthogonality and Diagonalization Intermediate 9 h 4.8 (56) - 2The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyBeginnerMATLAB
Stated prerequisites: Single variable calculus and some computer programming ability
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Matrix Algebra for Engineers Beginner 20 h 4.9 (4,726) Differential Equations for Engineers Beginner 27 h 4.9 (2,251) Vector Calculus for Engineers Beginner 30 h 4.8 (1,425) Numerical Methods for Engineers Intermediate 40 h 4.8 (451) Mathematics for Engineers: The Capstone Course Intermediate 10 h 5.0 (45) - 3Rice UniversityIntermediate
Stated prerequisites: Algebra, geometry, trigonometry; basic calculus helpful
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Physics 101 - Forces and Kinematics Intermediate 30 h 4.7 (210) Physics 101 - Energy and Momentum Intermediate 23 h 4.6 (49) Physics 101 - Rotational Motion and Gravitation Intermediate 28 h 4.8 (104) - 4Rice UniversityIntermediate
Stated prerequisites: Algebra, geometry, trigonometry; basic calculus helpful
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Physics 102 - Electric Charges and Fields Intermediate 22 h 4.6 (210) Physics 102 - Electric Potential and DC Circuits Intermediate 22 h 4.8 (35) Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law Intermediate 26 h 4.8 (28) Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations Intermediate 18 h 4.8 (51) - 5The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyBeginner
Stated prerequisites: Basic classical physics and calculus (highly recommended)
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology Beginner 11 h 4.6 (174) Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms Beginner 11 h 4.6 (71) Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity Beginner 7 h 4.8 (34) - 6University of Colorado BoulderIntermediate
Stated prerequisites: Undergraduate calculus, differential equations and linear algebra
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Foundations of Quantum Mechanics Intermediate 27 h 4.5 (94) Theory of Angular Momentum Intermediate 13 h 4.0 (20) Approximation Methods Intermediate 14 h 4.4 (14) - 7Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Intermediate
Stated prerequisites: Basic calculus, high school physics and chemistry
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Electrodynamics: An Introduction Intermediate 13 h 4.7 (643) Electrodynamics: Analysis of Electric Fields Advanced 11 h 4.7 (175) Electrodynamics: Electric and Magnetic Fields Advanced 12 h 4.8 (236) Electrodynamics: In-depth Solutions for Maxwell's Equations Advanced 19 h 4.8 (129) - 8University of Colorado BoulderAdvancedMathematical Software
Stated prerequisites: Undergraduate engineering thermodynamics
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Course Level Length Rating (reviews) Fundamentals of Macroscopic and Microscopic Thermodynamics Advanced 9 h 4.3 (271) Quantum Mechanics Advanced 6 h 4.5 (752) Ideal Gases Advanced 6 h 4.5 (145) Dense Gases, Liquids and Solids Advanced 5 h 4.5 (117) Non-Equilibrium Applications of Statistical Thermodynamics Advanced 8 h 4.4 (83)
With Coursera Plus
This path takes 502 hours, about 12 months at 10 hours a week. A Coursera Plus subscription gives access to most of its courses during that time.
Projects to build
1D Schrödinger
Compute the energy levels of a finite well by finite differences and compare with theory.
Dipole radiation
Visualise the field radiated by an oscillating dipole and check the 1/r law.
Ising model
Simulate the 2D Ising model by Monte Carlo and locate the critical temperature.
Free textbooks
The Feynman Lectures on PhysicsR. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, M. SandsFree to read online
Notes on Diffy QsJiří LeblFree, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quantum Mechanics (lecture notes)David Tong, CambridgeFree notes
Electromagnetism (lecture notes)David Tong, CambridgeFree notes
Statistical Physics (lecture notes)David Tong, CambridgeFree notes