General Physics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Provide basic knowledge of physics and its methodologies for the description and analysis of natural phenomena.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will learn to address physical problems using equations, based on the laws of classical physics, and solve them quantitatively:
1. knowledge and understanding: knowledge of basic physical laws and their application context
2. ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding: application of the abovementioned laws to solve simple problems, providing both a parametric solution (as a function of the quantities characterising the system under exam) and a numerical solution with measurement units
1. knowledge and understanding: knowledge of basic physical laws and their application context
2. ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding: application of the abovementioned laws to solve simple problems, providing both a parametric solution (as a function of the quantities characterising the system under exam) and a numerical solution with measurement units
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
1-dimensional kinematics: line coordinate, speed, acceleration, relationships among space, speed and acceleration in terms of integrals and derivatives. Uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion.
Position in 3D space: vectorsn operations with vectors (sum, subtraction, multipication by a scalar, dot product, cross product)
Kinematics in 3D: trajectory, velocity and speed, acceleration (vector, tangential, centripetal). Straight uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion, circular motion.
Dynamics of a mass point: forces; the 3 laws of dynamics, tangential and centripetal forces; equilibrium at rest; weight, constraint forces, tension forces; elastic forces and harmonic motion. Momentum.
Work and kinetic energy. Conservative forces and potential energy. Mechanical energy. Kinematically forbidden regions. Examples of conservative forces (uniform force, central forces, elastic forces). Small oscillation about a point of stable equilibrium.
Gravitational forces: Newton's gravitation law, its derivation from Kepler's laws, Cavendish's measure of G; circular orbits in a central gravitational field.
Electric and magnetic forces. Electrostatic potential. Electric currents. Electromagnetic induction.
Changing reference frames: transforms for velocities and accelerations; inertial and accelerated frames, apparent forces, centrifugal force.
Dynamics of fluids: density; volume forces and pressure forces; fluids at rest; Stevin's law for liquids, Pascal's law, Archimede's law. Non-frictional liquids in steady motion: Bernoulli's theorem.
Thermodynamics: termal dilation, empyrical temperature, law of gases, absolute temperature, microscopic model of gases and equivalence between temperature and mean kinetic energy; mono-, bi-, and tri-atomi molecules. Work on a gas, adiabatic transform. Isochoric, isobaric, and isothermal transforms. Thermal capacity and specific heat. Dulong-Petit solids. Latent heats. Thermal cycles, Carnot's cycle. Clausius' and Kelvin's laws, 2nd law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Waves: frequency and wave length, speed and refraction index. Interferencem reflection and refraction. Diffraction on a lattice.
Basic statistical techniques for experimental data treatment: propagation of uncertainties and hypothesis test.
Position in 3D space: vectorsn operations with vectors (sum, subtraction, multipication by a scalar, dot product, cross product)
Kinematics in 3D: trajectory, velocity and speed, acceleration (vector, tangential, centripetal). Straight uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion, circular motion.
Dynamics of a mass point: forces; the 3 laws of dynamics, tangential and centripetal forces; equilibrium at rest; weight, constraint forces, tension forces; elastic forces and harmonic motion. Momentum.
Work and kinetic energy. Conservative forces and potential energy. Mechanical energy. Kinematically forbidden regions. Examples of conservative forces (uniform force, central forces, elastic forces). Small oscillation about a point of stable equilibrium.
Gravitational forces: Newton's gravitation law, its derivation from Kepler's laws, Cavendish's measure of G; circular orbits in a central gravitational field.
Electric and magnetic forces. Electrostatic potential. Electric currents. Electromagnetic induction.
Changing reference frames: transforms for velocities and accelerations; inertial and accelerated frames, apparent forces, centrifugal force.
Dynamics of fluids: density; volume forces and pressure forces; fluids at rest; Stevin's law for liquids, Pascal's law, Archimede's law. Non-frictional liquids in steady motion: Bernoulli's theorem.
Thermodynamics: termal dilation, empyrical temperature, law of gases, absolute temperature, microscopic model of gases and equivalence between temperature and mean kinetic energy; mono-, bi-, and tri-atomi molecules. Work on a gas, adiabatic transform. Isochoric, isobaric, and isothermal transforms. Thermal capacity and specific heat. Dulong-Petit solids. Latent heats. Thermal cycles, Carnot's cycle. Clausius' and Kelvin's laws, 2nd law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Waves: frequency and wave length, speed and refraction index. Interferencem reflection and refraction. Diffraction on a lattice.
Basic statistical techniques for experimental data treatment: propagation of uncertainties and hypothesis test.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of basic mathematics, trigonometric functions, logarithm, exponential, differential and integral calculus.
Teaching methods
Front lectures. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
Teaching Resources
Handouts provided by the lecturer, downloadable from Ariel platform since the beginning of the course. Exercises from former written exams, with solutions.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam at the end of the course. It is also possible to undergo two two partial exams, equivalent to the final exam, if passed. The exam aims at checking whether students are able to develop the solution of given problems in a quantitative way, using the appropriate physics laws, and to reach the solution, both in an analytic and in a numerical form.
PHYS-01/A - Experimental Physics of Fundamental Interactions and Applications - University credits: 6
PHYS-03/A - Experimental Physics of Matter and Applications - University credits: 3
PHYS-03/A - Experimental Physics of Matter and Applications - University credits: 3
Exercises: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Bonizzoni Letizia Maria Agostina, Fanti Marcello
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon request via email