Physics of Astronomy: Orbital Motion & Kepler's Laws

Course details

In this course, you're going to shift your perceptions of reality to fuel analytical efficiency, master fundamental models at the core of every branch of physics, and use your newfound physics knowledge to predict the evolution of any astronomical object soaring through our solar system! Most of these skills are essential for success in any STEM industry (Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, etc), but we'll be personally using your newfound physicsknowledge to tackle some of the greatest mysteries of our universe.

EXPLORE THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE WHILE DEVELOPING SKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS!

• Bridge Physics and Astronomy concepts as we unravel the fabric of the cosmos and explore the beautiful mysteries it has to offer

• Master fundamental physics models and principles at the core of every branch of Physics (Two-body central force problem, conservation of angular momentum, effective potential energy, etc)

• Develop proven techniques for optimizing your physics analyses and promoting problem-solving efficiency (Select generalized coordinates to simplify mathematics & physics, Choose reference frames for streamlining solutions, and discover clever mathematical tricks)

• Learn to express the geometry of Astronomy through the Mathematics of Conic Sections (Describe parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas through one generalized, polar equation)

• Confidently apply Classical Physics concepts to predict the evolution of any astronomical object soaring through our universe

• Explore the defining characteristics of bounded & unbounded orbits and their connection to energy & eccentricity

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Kepler's Laws and how they are utilized in Astronomy (Use Kepler's Third Law to predict the periods of satellites orbiting our planet, employ Kepler's First Law to understand the shapes of planetary orbits, etc)

• Experience the beauty of physics in a fun, exciting atmosphere you'll never find in a classroom; I'll make you love and enjoy physics, while enhancing your skill sets

MASTER THE PHYSICS PRINCIPLES THAT MAKE SPACE EXPLORATION POSSIBLE!!!

Interested in diving into the darkest depths of our universe?

Want to peer beneath the surface of reality and discover the secrets behind our solar system?

If so, then you've just chosen to embark on the right journey! Ever since the conception of humanity, one question has persistently driven us to search for knowledge and understanding: why are we here, and what place do we serve in this vast universe? From our neighboring planets to the distant stars, we have always been fascinated by the heavenly objects occupying our vast night skies; they awaken our innate sense of exploration and fill us with adoration and wonder. For example, not only did our ancestors continually characterize the planets as divine gods, but the human race has been striving to make sense of our solar system's structure for as long as we can remember. In fact, the earliest recording of astronomy studies date back to 600 BCE - when Greeks such as Pythagoras, Thales of Miletus, Plato, and Aristotle began to use mathematics and physics principles to explain the motion of the cosmos. Even today, with all that we've discovered about the vast universe, our curiosity still draws us towards more distant, mysterious regions of space - as evidenced by the vast 2019 budget ($21.5 billion) awarded to NASA for space exploration.

As a result, it is no wonder that Classical Physics concepts are invaluable assets with extremely high demand - as they fuel our search for answers and guide astronomy studies. Without the development of fundamental physics principles, our ventures into the vast unknown would not be possible, and the human race would not have been able to quench its endless thirst for space exploration. Furthermore, whether you want to be an engineer, scientist, or astronomer, Classical Physics concepts are not only essential for success in any STEM industry, but the intrinsic value of physics will get you some of the highest salaries throughout the world. For example, in the Forbes article "15 Most Valuable College Majors", not only does physics appear in the list, but 12 out of the 15 listed majors require physics as an essential skill!

In this course, you're going to finally learn these Classical Physics principles for understanding our vast universe - as we unravel the fabric of the cosmos together. From modeling the orbital motion of our planets to tracing out a comet's surprise visits, this course will help you bridge physics and astronomy concepts in our quest to understand the unknown. By the end of the course, you will have shifted your perceptions of reality to fuel analytical efficiency, mastered the fundamental models at the core of every branch of physics, and utilized your new-found astronomy & physics knowledge to predict the evolution of any astronomical object soaring through our solar system. Not only will you be a master of the universe's underlying principles, but you'll also now possess practical skills that set you apart from the competition.

COURSE CONTENT AND OVERVIEW

Through 38 lectures and 10.5 hours worth of HD-quality content, you're going to journey through some of the deepest depths of the universe - experiencing all the beauty it has to offer.  By the end of this journey, you'll then be able to confidently apply classical physics concepts to analyze ANY astronomical system or phenomenon throughout the universe - whether that be the orbital motion of our planets or a famous comet's surprise visits from the unknown. Each section of this immersive journey also includes a few comprehensive quizzes; so, you'll have a chance to practice these physics & astronomy concepts first-hand, receive immediate feedback, and quickly become a master of the universe / astronomy / physics! Here's a brief overview of each component you'll explore as you journey through the course:

• Component I: As you embark on your journey, you'll first work to develop the essential mechanics / framework / physics for outlining the orbital motion of our planets. Formally known as the Kepler Problem in physics, this task involves finding solutions to the Two-Body Central Force Problem - which is prominently found in the topics of gravitation, electromagnetism, and even quantum physics. So, by the end of this section, not only will you possess a powerful tool for working through the astronomy & physics of our solar system, but it will also serve as a valuable asset in your journey through other branches of physics beyond astronomy.

  
  

• Component II: Once you've established these foundational physics models, you'll then work to develop the mathematical backbone used to interpret these results and make sense of your physics analysis. Known as the Mathematics of Conic Sections, this mathematical language will allow you to express all parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas through one generalized, polar equation and a non-dimensional parameter known as eccentricity.

  
  

• Component III: At this point in your journey, you'll possess all of the essential ingredients for seeing the big picture of the universe. So, in Section III, you're going to take the skills and physics knowledge you've developed and finally put them to good use. Some topics we'll explore include Kepler's Laws of planetary motion, geometric properties of elliptical orbits, the defining characteristics of bounded and unbounded orbits, and the relationship between a celestial object's energy and eccentricity. This is the fun part of the course where we start to bridge physics and astronomy concepts, as we analyze everything from Mercury to Pluto and even the famous Haley's Comet.

By the end of your journey, you will have shifted your perceptions of reality to fuel analytical efficiency, mastered the fundamental models at the core of every branch of physics, and utilized your new-found physics knowledge to predict the evolution of any astronomical object soaring through our solar system. You'll be a master of the universe who knows how to utilize his/her understanding, and that alone will make you shine in the STEM industry or effortlessly excel in-class. 

So, feel free to explore our comprehensive curriculum or preview videos, and I look forward to seeing and working with you inside the course. I can't wait to guide you along another journey which personally made me love physics, engineering, and mathematics :)!

Here's what some of our customers and fans had to say about our previous courses & content:

"I had rated this as a 5-star course before. I did it before having finished it (actually, I haven't yet...). My only complaint was that I wished it included dynamics of rigid bodies. Guess what, it does, as Mr. Reilly was kind enough to point out... So if I could, now, I would rate this course even higher. It covers the backbone of lagrangian, hamiltonian mechanics. It's one of the best online physics courses out there and, as far as I know, the only one that covers these topics adequately. The instructor always answers questions with utmost carefulness and attention. Really, really great course. Congrats and cheers!"

-Wallace da Silva Carvalho,

"The enthusiasm the instructor brings with himself is simply fascinating. Unlike the traditional Physics profs who'll bore you to death, you actually start getting excited about the subject! I actually hope that more such courses will be on the way in the near future :)"

-Syed Nouman Hasany,

"This course is gold, I recommend it to everyone who wants improvement in their lives. It's helping me spiritually and also in the fulfillment of my objectives. Thanks a lot, Ed! I'm a big fan of The Kaizen Effect videos and also the Classical Physics course. I'm also an engineer, so this is all perfect and truly applicable to my life. Keep up the great work for the good of the world."

-Leonam Akira Ferreira da Costa,

"Simply amazing. I was quite confused reading through John Taylor's Classical Mechanics at first (and my Dynamics Professor sucks), but you truly conveyed the beauty in all of this and I've gotta say I'm mad shook lmaoo the way we're able to break down a complex problem into the real core of it like that simply blew my mind. YouTube >> University. Thank you so much for uploading, because it really helps for people like me that are visual / audio learners who understand more when they have access to such material to supplement the textbook. Cheers!"

-Aditya Abhyankar,  

"Seriously, thank you sooooo much. I made a massive leap from engineering to physics and you take the time to carefully explain so many little details that many professors overlook. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. I wish you the best on all your future endeavors."

-Leah Stokes,

"This is what I need - A HIGH ENERGY LECTURER who claps his hands to get my attention! :-) Too many old men droning on in the rest of youtube lectures. Something like this is engaging and keeps you awake :-)!"

-Hugh Jones,

"Classical Physics is a top-shelf course. Mr. Reilly is an evangelist for the material, and his approach will make you want to learn mechanics. He takes pains to make clear the derivations and meanings of the differential equations of physics, and provides plenty of examples to illustrate them in action. The first section alone has taught me much, and was enough to rekindle my interest in applied math (which is sorely lacking). I can definitely do things now that I couldn't do before enrolling, and I can't wait to get to the later chapters. Classical Physics is like a book you won't want to put down, and will make an awesome addition to any student's digital library."

-William Kern,

"What I liked best about the video is that you first spent time explaining the intuition behind converting the problem (from, say, cartesian space) to a more abstract space and finding the solution there. Explaining such philosophy greatly helps put things in context as it answers what question really we are trying to answer. Following the content becomes much easier then. If you are not doing that in other videos, please do so :)!

TBH I was a bit skeptical about following through the whole video because I'd like to think I understand problems best when there is a geometrical intuition behind it, and have run away from any kind of analytical math all my life (even though I understood geometrical intuition behind complex calculus operations I'd still fail terribly in exams because I have a problem stating the questions analytically). This video helped me change my perspective. I wish I had teachers like you in college!

Thank you for the wonderful lecture, man!"

-nilspin,