AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After following this course the student will be able to understand the fundamental laws of physics and the main ideas of classical mechanics and electromagnetism in vacuum. Particular importance is given to show  the usefulness and the limitations of modelling and approximation in the development of understanding of the physical world. 

TEACHING METHODS

The classes are organised with lessons (80 hours) and exercises sessions (40 hours). The whole program is covered during classes, but we strongly encourage the students to read and study books. The exam is based on a written test (with exercises) and an oral examination.

Being a first-year course, no explicit pre-requisites are foreseen. Anyway, some tools introduced in math courses (Analysis, Geometry, Calculus) will be used and applied throughout the year and during exams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Scientific methods, experimental uncertainties, dimensional equation, units.

Reference frames. Vectors and Vector algebra. Differential and integral calculus.

Kinematics of a point. Position, displacement, speed, acceleration. Uniformly accelerated motion. Circular motion. Harmonic motion. Relative motion.

Newton laws. Forces, inertial and non inertial frames. Impulse and momentum. Angular momentum and moment of force. Work of a force. Kinetic energy and power. Conservative forces and potential energy. Conservation laws in mechanics. Application to elastic and inelastic collisions.

Gravitation, weight, elastic forces, friction. Harmonic motion and oscillations. 

Systems of points and rigid bodies. Center of mass and its motion. Rotation around a fixed axis. Moment of inertia.  Pendulum, compound pendulum.

Coulomb law and electric field. Gauss theorem. Electric potential. 

Capacitors. Capacity. Capacitors with dielectrics. Electric current. Circuits, Ohm’s law. RC circuits. Magnetic field. Motion of charges in electric and magnetic fields. Biot-Savart law. Ampere’s theorem. Force between currents. Electromagnetic induction. Inductance. RL circuits.

Displacement current and Maxwell’s equations. Overview of electromagnetic waves. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Various textbook cover the lesson program; among them:

R. A. Serway e J. W. Jewett, Principi di Fisica, Volume I e II, EdiSES, Napoli. 

W. E. Gettys, F. J. Keller, M. J. Skove, Fisica classica e moderna, Volumi 1 e 2, McGraw Hill, Italia. 

D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano. 

R. Resnick, D. Halliday, K. S. Krane, Fisica 1 e 2, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano. 

R. A. Serway e R. J. Beichner, Fisica per Scienze ed Ingegneria, EdiSES, Napoli. J.W. Jewett.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIERO TRUINI (President)

NICOLA MAGGIORE

LUCA PANIZZI

PAOLO SOLINAS

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination for both moduli A+B is based on a written test of 4 hours, with exercises and an oral test.

The students are allowed to go through the examination separately, in different sessions, for the sole modulus A or B.

In this case the written test lasts 2 hours and must be followed by an oral test, for each part A or B.

The examination must be completed (A+B) within the academic year. 

Exam schedule