PHYSICS A - L
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: MARCO RUGGIERIExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of classical physics, specifically mechanics, thermodynamics, optics and waves, as well as basics of quantum mechanics. By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the basic principles of the scientific method and physics, and will be able to formulate and/or solve a physics problem. Where possible, examples/applications that are useful in different contexts of computer science, such as video game design and quantum computing, will be shown.
The course includes 48 hours of in-person classes, divided into 24 hours of theory and 24 hours of practical exercises. In particular, the practical exercises will involve both numerical exercises carried out in class and formal developments (e.g., proofs of results stated in the theoretical part).
In detail, the expected learning outcomes, categorized according to the Dublin descriptors, are as follows.
1. Knowledge and understanding
- Understand the fundamental principles of physics, including concepts such as mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.
- Identify and explain the physical laws that govern the behavior of matter and energy in the universe.
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of the mathematical and theoretical concepts underlying physics.
2. Application of knowledge and understanding
- Apply physics principles to solve practical problems in various contexts, such as the motion of objects, the propagation of light and so on.
- Interpret experimental data and apply physical laws to analyze the results.
- Develop physical models to describe and understand complex phenomena.
3. Ability to draw conclusions
- Perform critical analysis of experimental data and draw conclusions based on scientific evidence.
- Identify and solve complex physical problems using critical thinking and logic.
- Critically evaluate existing physical theories and recognize their limitations.
4. Communication skills
- Communicate the results of physical analyses clearly and concisely, both in written and verbal form.
- Effectively present complex physical concepts to a non-expert audience.
- Collaborate with others and actively participate in scientific discussions.
5. Ability to learn
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, deepening knowledge of physics beyond the basic level.
- Adapt and apply acquired knowledge and skills to new contexts and problems.
- Continue to explore and embrace new developments and discoveries in physics even after completing the course.
Course Structure
If the teaching is taught in a blended or distance mode, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously declared, in order to respect the planned program and reported in the syllabus.
Access to the teaching material provided by the teacher will be available on Studium, Physics (A-L) - Computer Science (L31) course, academic year 2026/2027.
All communications will be made on the Studium channel mentioned above.
In addition, all communications will also be posted on the course Telegram channel: Fisica Informatica 26/27.
Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students concerned may request an individual meeting to discuss and arrange any appropriate compensatory measures and/or exemptions, in accordance with the learning objectives of the course and their specific needs.
Students may also contact the Department’s CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Physics and the Scientific Method: The Scientific Method, Physics, Branches of Modern Physics, Systems of Measurement Units
Kinematics of Point Particles: Vectors and Matrices, Vector Operations, Motion Equations of a Point Particle, Average and Instantaneous Velocity, Acceleration, Planar Motion
Dynamics of Point Particles: Principle of Relativity, Forces, Inertial Systems, Principle of Inertia, Force and Acceleration, Inertial Mass, Impulse and Momentum, Angular Momentum and Torque, Work and Kinetic Energy, Conservative Fields and Potential Energy, Conservation of Mechanical Energy, Examples of Forces, Solutions to the Equation of Motion
Thermodynamics: Heat and Temperature, Ideal Gases and Transformations, Absolute Temperature Scale, First Law of Thermodynamics and Applications to Ideal Gases. Second Law of Thermodynamics, Entropy, Entropy of an Ideal Gas and a Solid Body, Microscopic Interpretation of Thermodynamic Quantities
Elements of Waves and Optics: waves, interference and diffraction, geometrical optics.
Elements of Quantum Mechanics: wave mechanics, Schrodinger equation, harmonic oscillator, quantum superposition principle, Schrodinger's cat.
Textbook Information
Testi principali
[GASP] U. Gasparini, M. Margoni e F. Simonetto, Fisica. Meccanica e Termodinamica. Piccin-Nuova Libraria (9 Gennaio 2019)
[SERWAY]. R. A. Serway e J. W. Jewett, Fondamenti di Fisica, Edises; 6° edizione (10 giugno 2022)
[GETTYS1] G. Vannini e W. E. Gettys, Gettys Fisica 1, McGraw-Hill Education 5a edizione (22 Gennaio 2015)
[GETTYS2] G. Cantatore, L. Vitale e W. E. Gettys, Gettys Fisica 2, McGraw-Hill Education 4a edizione (15 Gennaio 2016)
Fonti aggiuntive
C. Mencuccini e V. Silvestrini, Fisica: Meccanica e Termodinamica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (26 Settembre 2016)
C. Mencuccini e V. Silvestrini, Fisica: Elettromagnetismo e Ottica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2° edizione (16 Gennaio 2017)
D. Sette, A. Alippi e A. Bettucci, Lezioni di Fisica 1, Zanichelli 2° edizione (19 Luglio 2021)
E. Fermi, Termodinamica, Bollati Boringhieri (1 Novembre 1977)
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Vannini e W. E. Gettys | Gettys Fisica 1 | McGraw-Hill Education | 5a edizione (22 Gennaio 2015) | 978-8838668838 |
| G. Cantatore, L. Vitale e W. E. Gettys | Gettys Fisica 2 | McGraw-Hill Education | 4a edizione (15 Gennaio 2016) | 978-8838669132 |
| R. A. Serway e J. W. Jewett | Fondamenti di Fisica | Edises | 6a edizione (10 Giugno 2022) | 978-8836230730 |
| U. Gasparini, M. Margoni e F. Simonetto, | Fisica. Meccanica e Termodinamica. | Piccin Nuova Libraria | 9 Gennaio 2019 | 978-8829929726 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduzione alla fisica, metodo scientifico, dimensioni, algebra vettoriale (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 2 | Cinematica del punto materiale (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 3 | Dinamica del punto materiale (18 ore, di cui 12 di esercitazioni) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 4 | Lavoro ed energia (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 5 | Elementi di termodinamica classica e teoria cinetica dei gas (10 ore, di cui 6 di esercitazioni) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 6 | Elementi di propagazione ondosa (2 ore) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 7 | Elementi di ottica geometrica e ottica fisica (2 ore) | [GASP,SERWAY] |
| 8 | Elementi di Meccanica Quantistica (4 ore) | Dispense |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The assessment will consist of an oral examination, comprising an interview (three/four questions) on the topics covered in the course, together with the solution of one/two exercises in mechanics and/or thermodynamics.
A grade, S, ranging from 0 to 30 will be assigned to the exercise component. The assessment of this part of the examination will be based on the correctness of the solutions, as well as on the student's ability to express themselves using appropriate technical language. Depending on the grade obtained, this part of the examination will be considered:
- passed, if the grade is equal to or greater than 18;
- conditionally passed, if the grade is between 12 and 17 (inclusive). In this case, the student will be conditionally admitted to the oral interview. During the interview, additional questions may be asked to assess the student's knowledge of the topics covered by the exercise component of the examination;
- failed, if the grade is between 0 and 11 (inclusive). In this case, the examination will be considered failed and the student will be required to take the examination again at a subsequent examination session.
For the oral interview, a grade, O, ranging from 0 to 30 will be assigned. The assessment of the oral interview will be based on the correctness of the answers, as well as on the student's ability to express themselves using appropriate technical language and to make connections between different topics covered in the course.
The final grade, F, will be calculated according to the formula:
F = P*S + Q*O
where P = 1/3 and Q = 2/3. At the instructor's discretion, if the final grade is F = 30, an additional question on the topics covered in the course may be asked in order to award honors.
The examination is considered passed if F is equal to or greater than 18. Students who do not pass the examination will be required to take it again at a subsequent examination session.
The examination is structured so that each student is assigned a grade according to the following criteria:
- Fail: the student has not acquired the basic concepts and is unable to answer at least 60% of the questions or solve the exercises.
- 18–23: the student demonstrates a basic command of the fundamental concepts. Their ability to make connections between different topics is limited, and they are able to solve simple exercises.
- 24–27: the student demonstrates a good command of the course content. Their ability to make connections between different topics is good, and they are able to solve the exercises with only minor errors.
- 28–30 with honors: the student has acquired a thorough command of the course content and is able to master it fully and make connections between different topics with a critical approach; they are able to solve the exercises completely and without errors.
Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLDs) must contact the instructor and the DMI CInAP representative sufficiently in advance of the examination date to communicate their intention to take the examination using the appropriate accommodations. In particular, eligible students will be allowed to consult their personal notes and/or textbooks during both the exercise component and the oral interview.
The assessment may also be conducted remotely, should circumstances require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Ballistic motion
Inertial reference systems
Principles of the dynamics of a material point
Simple pendulum motion
Harmonic motion of a material point subjected to an elastic force
Elastic collisions and applications to billiards and bowling
First law of thermodynamics
Second law of thermodynamics
Internal energy of perfect gases
Entropy of the universe and irreversibility
Variation of entropy related to heat exchange between two bodies
Unattainability of absolute zero