Fundamentals of Physics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of Physics. Specifically, it will cover basic concepts of kinematics, dynamics, gravitation, and fluid mechanics.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical and mathematical tools necessary to analyze and solve standard problems in basic physics.
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
Physical measures
- Fundamental units of the International System, prefixes, derived units
- Scalars and vectors, scalar product and vector product.
Kinematics
- Motion in one dimension: position and displacement, speed, acceleration, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall
- Motion in several dimensions: trajectory, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion, angular velocity and angular acceleration
Dynamics of the material point
- Newton's laws: concept of force and mass, equations of motion, action and reaction
- Inertial and non-inertial systems, changes of reference system, apparent forces
- Examples of forces: gravity and constant force g, elastic force, centrifugal force, static and dynamic friction force
- Work done by a force, conservative forces, potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation
Dynamics of extended systems
- Center of mass and calculation of the center of mass
- Newton's law for particle systems, momentum and associated conservation law
- Elastic and inelastic collisions in one dimension;
Rotary motion (*)
- Moment of inertia: definition, calculation, and theorem of parallel axes, kinetic energy of a rotating body
- Torque, Newton's law for rotating rigid bodies, angular momentum and associated conservation law,
Gravitation
- Universal law of gravitation
- Kepler's laws
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
Electromagnetism (*)
- Electric charge and Coulomb's law, electric field and field lines
- Electric current, resistance, Ohm's law
- Introduction to the magnetic field and Lorentz's law
(*) the content of this chapter might be reduced with respect to the program
- Fundamental units of the International System, prefixes, derived units
- Scalars and vectors, scalar product and vector product.
Kinematics
- Motion in one dimension: position and displacement, speed, acceleration, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall
- Motion in several dimensions: trajectory, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion, angular velocity and angular acceleration
Dynamics of the material point
- Newton's laws: concept of force and mass, equations of motion, action and reaction
- Inertial and non-inertial systems, changes of reference system, apparent forces
- Examples of forces: gravity and constant force g, elastic force, centrifugal force, static and dynamic friction force
- Work done by a force, conservative forces, potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation
Dynamics of extended systems
- Center of mass and calculation of the center of mass
- Newton's law for particle systems, momentum and associated conservation law
- Elastic and inelastic collisions in one dimension;
Rotary motion (*)
- Moment of inertia: definition, calculation, and theorem of parallel axes, kinetic energy of a rotating body
- Torque, Newton's law for rotating rigid bodies, angular momentum and associated conservation law,
Gravitation
- Universal law of gravitation
- Kepler's laws
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
Electromagnetism (*)
- Electric charge and Coulomb's law, electric field and field lines
- Electric current, resistance, Ohm's law
- Introduction to the magnetic field and Lorentz's law
(*) the content of this chapter might be reduced with respect to the program
Prerequisites for admission
Students will have to master the typical mathematics concepts learned in secondary school. As an example, students are expected to know how to calculate the area and circumference of a circle, the volume of a cylinder, cone, or sphere, to know simple geometry theorems (Pythagorean theorem, sum of the internal angles of a triangle), to know and use basic trigonometric functions, and to be able to perform simple unit conversions. It is also essential to have a minimum level of familiarity with algebra and literal calculus.
It is strongly recommended to have attended the Elements of Calculus course, and possibly have taken the related exam.
It is strongly recommended to have attended the Elements of Calculus course, and possibly have taken the related exam.
Teaching methods
Theory lectures and tutoring sessions.
Teaching Resources
Serway-Jewett, Fondamenti di Fisica, casa Editrice Edises
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation will consist on a written examination focused on the solution of excercises.
Students with SLD and disabilities are requested to contact the Professor via email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email addressed to the professor, it is necessary to CC the respective University Services:
[email protected] (for students with SLD)
[email protected] (for students with disabilities)
Students with SLD and disabilities are requested to contact the Professor via email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email addressed to the professor, it is necessary to CC the respective University Services:
[email protected] (for students with SLD)
[email protected] (for students with disabilities)
Professor(s)