Physics Ii
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Making judgements in the choice of the solutions of simple problems.
Communication skills logically explaining what has been learnt.
Learning skills at least the basics of Physics, how and why to face problems.
Knowledge and understanding of some basic optical and electromagnetic properties of Nature.
Applying knowledge and understanding to simple problems of electromagnetism and optics.
Communication skills logically explaining what has been learnt.
Learning skills at least the basics of Physics, how and why to face problems.
Knowledge and understanding of some basic optical and electromagnetic properties of Nature.
Applying knowledge and understanding to simple problems of electromagnetism and optics.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of some basic optical and electromagnetic properties of Nature.
Applying knowledge and understanding to simple problems of electromagnetism and optics.
Applying knowledge and understanding to simple problems of electromagnetism and optics.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
- Coordinates systems. Vectors and scalars. Scalar product and vector product. Vector operators and derivatives
- Waves and oscillations and their properties. Mechanical, elastic, acoustic, sinusoidal waves. Electromagnetic waves.
- Interference of waves, beats. Diffraction from slits.
- Laws of geometric optics, refractive index, dispersion of prisms
- Light: the visible spectrum, polarization of light
- Notions on seismic waves, forced and damped oscillatory motion
- Forces and fields. The electric field. Motion of charges in electric fields
- Work of the electric field and electrical potential energy. Gauss's theorem
- Electric current, conductors, resistances and Ohm's law
- Capacitors. Direct current circuits. Charging and discharging the capacitor
- Magnetic phenomena and magnetic field. Currents and fields varying in time.
- Motion of electric charges in magnetic field. The mass spectrometer
- Magnetic induction and Faraday's law. Inductances, circuits and stored energy
- Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves, spectrum and speed of light
- Permanent magnets and magnetism of materials. Terrestrial magnetism, notes on paleomagnetism and the principle of the geodynamo
- Waves and oscillations and their properties. Mechanical, elastic, acoustic, sinusoidal waves. Electromagnetic waves.
- Interference of waves, beats. Diffraction from slits.
- Laws of geometric optics, refractive index, dispersion of prisms
- Light: the visible spectrum, polarization of light
- Notions on seismic waves, forced and damped oscillatory motion
- Forces and fields. The electric field. Motion of charges in electric fields
- Work of the electric field and electrical potential energy. Gauss's theorem
- Electric current, conductors, resistances and Ohm's law
- Capacitors. Direct current circuits. Charging and discharging the capacitor
- Magnetic phenomena and magnetic field. Currents and fields varying in time.
- Motion of electric charges in magnetic field. The mass spectrometer
- Magnetic induction and Faraday's law. Inductances, circuits and stored energy
- Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves, spectrum and speed of light
- Permanent magnets and magnetism of materials. Terrestrial magnetism, notes on paleomagnetism and the principle of the geodynamo
Prerequisites for admission
General mathematics topics:
- 1st and 2nd degree equations
- powers, exponentials, logarithms and their properties
- basic geometry: surfaces, volumes, angles
- trigonometric functions and elementary analytic functions,
with their graphical representation on the Cartesian plane
- derivatives and integrals of elementary functions
Fundamental notions on physical entities and quantities :
- dimensions, coordinates, measurement units, prefixes, conversions between
measurement units
- basic physical quantities: velocity, acceleration, force, work, kinetic and potential energies
- orders of magnitude and realistic and reasonable numerical values for physical quantities
- vectors and operations with vectors: sum, scalar product, vector product
- 1st and 2nd degree equations
- powers, exponentials, logarithms and their properties
- basic geometry: surfaces, volumes, angles
- trigonometric functions and elementary analytic functions,
with their graphical representation on the Cartesian plane
- derivatives and integrals of elementary functions
Fundamental notions on physical entities and quantities :
- dimensions, coordinates, measurement units, prefixes, conversions between
measurement units
- basic physical quantities: velocity, acceleration, force, work, kinetic and potential energies
- orders of magnitude and realistic and reasonable numerical values for physical quantities
- vectors and operations with vectors: sum, scalar product, vector product
Teaching methods
The teaching is delivered in the classroom through lectures and exercises of problem solving, possibly accompanied by PPT slide projections. Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Reference books:
- Serway - Jewett, "Principi di Fisica", volume unico
edited by EdiSes.
- Serway - Jewett, "Fondamenti di Fisica", volume unico
edited by EdiSes.
The topics covered in the course are largely summarized in the teacher's PPT projections, downloadable from the University's MyAriel educational website (https://myariel.unimi.it/course)
- Serway - Jewett, "Principi di Fisica", volume unico
edited by EdiSes.
- Serway - Jewett, "Fondamenti di Fisica", volume unico
edited by EdiSes.
The topics covered in the course are largely summarized in the teacher's PPT projections, downloadable from the University's MyAriel educational website (https://myariel.unimi.it/course)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The ordinary exam consists of a written test and an oral test.
The written test is always mandatory, and consists of simple problems and exercises.
The overall evaluation of the exam is expressed in thirtieths.
The written exam is considered passed if the score obtained is greater than (or equal to) 18/30. It is always possible to request that the score be directly recorded, without an oral exam (it is still necessary to register for the first available session for registration).
Anyone who wish to raise the score obtained in the written test can request to be heard for an oral test, where the skills acquired will be evaluated.
The possibility of requesting this oral exam is extended to students who have achieved a score of at least 16/30 in the written test. In this case, the oral test is mandatory to pass the exam.
Students with a score lower than 16/30 (and in any other case of failure to pass the exam) must necessarily apply for another subsequent written session.
It is also possible to pass the exam by taking two "in itinere" tests (approximately the first at the end of November/beginning of December, the second at the end of January/beginning of February).
Anyone who pass the two "in itinere" tests and accept the proposed vote have passed the exam without further tests (except for any intention to raise the score) and the result is recorded.
The "in itinere" tests may consist of a written exam with quizzes, theory questions and simple exercises
The written test is always mandatory, and consists of simple problems and exercises.
The overall evaluation of the exam is expressed in thirtieths.
The written exam is considered passed if the score obtained is greater than (or equal to) 18/30. It is always possible to request that the score be directly recorded, without an oral exam (it is still necessary to register for the first available session for registration).
Anyone who wish to raise the score obtained in the written test can request to be heard for an oral test, where the skills acquired will be evaluated.
The possibility of requesting this oral exam is extended to students who have achieved a score of at least 16/30 in the written test. In this case, the oral test is mandatory to pass the exam.
Students with a score lower than 16/30 (and in any other case of failure to pass the exam) must necessarily apply for another subsequent written session.
It is also possible to pass the exam by taking two "in itinere" tests (approximately the first at the end of November/beginning of December, the second at the end of January/beginning of February).
Anyone who pass the two "in itinere" tests and accept the proposed vote have passed the exam without further tests (except for any intention to raise the score) and the result is recorded.
The "in itinere" tests may consist of a written exam with quizzes, theory questions and simple exercises
FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Castelli Fabrizio, Facchini Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
tuesday 14:30 - 19:00
Department of Physics, via Celoria 16 Milan (fifth floor, room A/5/C3)
Reception:
By appointment
Office 1.1.10, first floor, Department of Physics, via Celoria 16