PHYSICS
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: MARCO RUGGIERIExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of classical physics, specifically mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Wherever possible, aspects of modern physics will be discussed, including special relativity and quantum mechanics. By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the basic principles of the scientific method and classical physics, and will be able to formulate and/or solve a physics problem.
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, analysis of electrical circuits, etc.
- 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
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
Elements of System Dynamics: Fundamental Laws and Third Law of Dynamics, Center of Mass, Equations of Motion, Systems of Forces, Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies, Moment of Inertia, Kinetic Energy, and Angular Momentum of a Rigid Body, Rolling Motion
Elements of Fluid Mechanics: Mechanical Actions on Fluids, Statics of Fluids, Hydrostatics in a Gravitational Field, Hydrodynamics, Surface Tension
First Law of Thermodynamics: Heat and Temperature, Ideal Gases and Transformations, Absolute Temperature Scale, First Law of Thermodynamics and Applications to Ideal Gases. Second Law of Thermodynamics: Statements of the Second Law, Carnot Cycle, Entropy and the Second Law, Entropy of an Ideal Gas and a Solid Body, Microscopic Interpretation of Thermodynamic Quantities
Elements of Electromagnetism: Electric Charge, Coulomb's Law, Electric Field, Electrostatic Potential, Electric Dipole, Electrostatic Energy, Steady Currents, Magnetic Field, Magnetic Energy, Brief Introduction to Electromagnetic Induction, Maxwell's Equations
Textbook Information
Testi principali
1. R. A. Serway e J. W. Jewett, Fondamenti di Fisica, Edises; 6° edizione (10 giugno 2022)
2. G. Vannini e W. E. Gettys, Gettys Fisica 1, McGraw-Hill Education 5a edizione (22 Gennaio 2015)
3. 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 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduzione alla fisica, metodo scientifico, dimensioni, algebra vettoriale (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 2 | Cinematica del punto materiale (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 3 | Dinamica del punto materiale (6 ore, di cui 4 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 4 | Lavoro ed energia (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 5 | Elementi di meccanica dei sistemi (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 6 | Cinematica e dinamica delle oscillazioni (2 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 7 | Elementi di meccanica dei fluidi (4 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 8 | Elementi di termodinamica classica e teoria cinetica dei gas (8 ore, di cui 4 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 2 |
| 9 | Legge di Coulomb, campo elettrico, legge di Gauss e potenziale elettrico (6 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 3 |
| 10 | Corrente elettrica (2 ore) | testi 1 e 3 |
| 11 | Campo magnetico (2 ore, di cui 2 di esercitazioni) | testi 1 e 3 |
| 12 | Induzione elettromagnetica ed equazioni di Maxwell (2 ore) | testi 1 e 3 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Second Law of Dynamics
Inertial Reference Frames
First Law of Thermodynamics
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Internal Energy
Entropy
Mechanics of Point Particle Systems
Hydrostatics