Physics
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the fundamentals of mechanics, thermodynamics and electrology, with paricular emphasis on the development of a rigourous scientific method, both at a theretical level and to solve simple physical problems. The goal of the course is also to help the understanding of the specific topics of subsequent courses.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and skills necessary for the correct interpretation of the most important physical phenomena and of the laws related to them. Ability to approach and solve numerical exercises, with the relevant mathematical tools, and to understand graphs of physical quantities. The student will also be able to describe with the appropriate language the basic physical phenomena.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to Physics
- Fundamental units of the International System, prefixes, derived units, dimensional analysis.
- Scalars and vectors, scalar product (expressed analytically by components or geometrically).
Kinematics
- Motion in one dimension: position and displacement, speed, acceleration, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall
- Multi-dimensional motion: trajectory, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion, angular velocity and angular acceleration
Dynamics
- Newton's laws: concept of force and mass, equations of motion, action and reaction
- Examples of forces: gravity force and constant g, elastic force, centrifugal force, static and dynamic frictional force.
- Work performed by a force, conservative forces, potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation
- Collisions and momentum conservation
- Law of universal gravitation, gravitational force between spherical objects
Fluid mechanics
- Definitions of density and pressure
- Stevin's law, Pascal's principle and Archimedes' principle
- Bernoulli equation
- Ideal and non-ideal fluids: viscosity, capillarity and surface tension
Thermodynamics
- temperature and heat
- phase transitions
- principles of thermodynamics
- thermal machines and Carnot cycle
- ideal gas and kinetic theory of gases
Basics of electromagnetism
- electric charges and Coulomb's law
- Electric field, electric potential and electric potential energy.
- Capacitors, resistors and direct current circuits
- Fundamental units of the International System, prefixes, derived units, dimensional analysis.
- Scalars and vectors, scalar product (expressed analytically by components or geometrically).
Kinematics
- Motion in one dimension: position and displacement, speed, acceleration, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall
- Multi-dimensional motion: trajectory, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion, angular velocity and angular acceleration
Dynamics
- Newton's laws: concept of force and mass, equations of motion, action and reaction
- Examples of forces: gravity force and constant g, elastic force, centrifugal force, static and dynamic frictional force.
- Work performed by a force, conservative forces, potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation
- Collisions and momentum conservation
- Law of universal gravitation, gravitational force between spherical objects
Fluid mechanics
- Definitions of density and pressure
- Stevin's law, Pascal's principle and Archimedes' principle
- Bernoulli equation
- Ideal and non-ideal fluids: viscosity, capillarity and surface tension
Thermodynamics
- temperature and heat
- phase transitions
- principles of thermodynamics
- thermal machines and Carnot cycle
- ideal gas and kinetic theory of gases
Basics of electromagnetism
- electric charges and Coulomb's law
- Electric field, electric potential and electric potential energy.
- Capacitors, resistors and direct current circuits
Prerequisites for admission
Elementary algebra; trigonometry; logarithms; functions and their properties; derivative and definite integral (their geometric interpretation).
It is strongly recommended to have followed the lessons of the "Mathematics" course of the first semester (and possibly to have taken the related exam).
It is strongly recommended to have followed the lessons of the "Mathematics" course of the first semester (and possibly to have taken the related exam).
Teaching methods
32 hours of theoretical lectures and 32 hours of exercises.
Teaching Resources
James S. Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica, Casa Editrice Pearson, 6ª edizione. The course will be based on this book. Any other university textbook about general physics could be useful.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The written exam will be divided into two parts. In the first part, students will be provided with a questionnaire with 10 simple questions with closed or open answers on topics covered during the lessons. After 30 minutes the questionnaire will be withdrawn.
The second part of the exam will consist of some problems (more complex than the previous ones) on different topics covered in the course, to be carried out over a longer time (generally an hour and a half).
To attend the written test, students must be enrolled regularly through SIFA and must be in front of the classroom 15 minutes before the beginning of the written test, with photo ID and protocol sheets.
During the whole written test it is not allowed to use books or notes. In the second part of the exam only, the use of the cheat sheet provided by the teacher is allowed.
Students who will have obtained a score equal to 16/30 or 17/30 at the written exam will be allowed to take an oral exam to reach (or pass) the sufficiency (18/30).
Students with a grade equal to or greater than 18/30 can at their discretion take an oral exam or simply confirm the grade of the written exam.
The communication of the passing of the written exam and therefore of the schedule of the oral exam, takes place through the Ariel portal.
The oral exam (if taken) will contribute to a maximum of 20% to the final grade. The final grade of the exam will be expressed in thirtieth.
The second part of the exam will consist of some problems (more complex than the previous ones) on different topics covered in the course, to be carried out over a longer time (generally an hour and a half).
To attend the written test, students must be enrolled regularly through SIFA and must be in front of the classroom 15 minutes before the beginning of the written test, with photo ID and protocol sheets.
During the whole written test it is not allowed to use books or notes. In the second part of the exam only, the use of the cheat sheet provided by the teacher is allowed.
Students who will have obtained a score equal to 16/30 or 17/30 at the written exam will be allowed to take an oral exam to reach (or pass) the sufficiency (18/30).
Students with a grade equal to or greater than 18/30 can at their discretion take an oral exam or simply confirm the grade of the written exam.
The communication of the passing of the written exam and therefore of the schedule of the oral exam, takes place through the Ariel portal.
The oral exam (if taken) will contribute to a maximum of 20% to the final grade. The final grade of the exam will be expressed in thirtieth.
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Genoni Marco Giovanni
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Professor(s)