OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to the classical mechanics of point-particles and rigid bodies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Physics course has the following objectives:

• to provide basic knowledge on the topics of classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism in vacuum
• to provide tools for the schematization and analysis of real complex physical situations
• to show, through examples, how it is possible to exploit simple models of real complex situations to make predictions about the evolution of physical systems
• to construct a language suitable for the description of the physical reality
• to stimulate communication between students around topics of Physics

Learning outcomes

• to know how to analyze physical phenomena with scientific methodology and logical thinking
• to master the theoretical concepts related to classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism presented by the teacher
• to know how to identify the physical situations in which these theoretical concepts are applied
• to be able to describe the physical reality in a quantitatively
• to solve problems of Mechanics and Electromagnetism, in a quantitative way, combining the theoretical notions of Physics with the mathematical formalism learned in the courses of Calculus
• to develop ability and aptitude to use the language of Physics both in formal and informal contexts.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching methods

The topics of the course are presented and exemplified with different teaching strategies, in particular the lessons consist of:

• traditional teaching based on teacher led demonstrations and presentation of examples at the blackboard
• power point presentations
• videos
• simulation tools (matlab, algodoo, java applet)

After the introduction of a new topic, the teacher always shows examples and solve exercises at the blackboard.

Students are stimulated to actively participate in the lesson as follows:

• through exercises led by the teacher and carried out in small groups
• through exercises, proposed by the tutor of the course, to be solved in groups or with explanations at the blackboard
• through the use of apps (Socrative, Kahoot) that allow the student to immediately verify if he/she has understood teacher's explanation through brief questionnaires and exercises. These tests are always carried out anonymously. The tests allow the teacher to monitor the level of comprehension of the class during the lesson
• through exercises assigned by the teacher to be carried out at home, independently or in groups
• through exercises based on the "think pair share" method

Each lesson combines at least three different teaching approaches.

Each module of the course includes two tests, which allow the student to self-evaluate and the teacher to assess the learning level of the class. The tests are carried out via the Aulaweb platform. The tests are launched by the teacher and are open for nearly 10 days at the middle and at the end of each semester.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Content of MODULE A:

1.  Introduction to scientific method. Reference frames. Vectors and sum of vectors. Components of a vector with respect to a set of orthogonal Cartesian axes. Scalar product and vector product. Point particle approximation. Motion of a point particle: position, displacement, velocity and acceleration vectors. Trajectory of a point in space. Equations of motion. Circular motion: angular velocity, centripetal and tangential acceleration. Relative motion.
2.  Forces as a cause of motion. First law of Newton. Inertial reference frames. The second and third Newton's law. Weight force, normal force, elastic force, friction, contact forces. Work done by a force. Kinetic energy, the work-kinetic energy theorem. Power. Conservative forces and potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Impulsive forces and impulse of force. Impacts between non-constrained point particles: elastic, inelastic and completely inelastic collision.
3. Systems of point particles; internal and external forces. Center of mass; motion of the center of mass. Linear momentum. Influence of external forces on momentum. Conservation of momentum. Moment of force (or torque) and angular momentum. Influence of external forces on angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum.
4. Rigid body rotation around a fixed axis. Moment of inertia. Motion equation. Kinetic rotation energy. Constraint forces. Statics of the rigid body. Free motion of a rigid body. Rolling. Collisions between point particles and extended bodies.
5. Simple harmonic motion: amplitude, frequency and phase. Energy considerations.
6. Non-inertial reference frames and apparent forces.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) D. Halliday, R.Resnick, J.Walker, “Physics” Vol.I e II;
2) R.A. Serway, Jewett, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers", 10th Edition.
3) W. E. Gettys, F. J. Keller, "Fisica Generale", McGraw Hill
4) P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro e C. Voci, "Elementi di Fisica" (volume I e II)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELENA ANGELI (President)

GIULIA ROSSI (President)

NICOLA MAGGIORE

PAOLO SOLINAS

LUCA VATTUONE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 18th 2018, room B5 DITEN

Class schedule

PHYSICS MOD. A

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

EXAM: Tests (online - not mandatory) + written exam (one complete or two partial - mandatory) + oral exam (mandatory)

The final grade is the result of the sum of the marks of tests and of the written and oral exams. The 4 online tests are not mandatory and they are reserved to first year students (enrolled in the academic year 2018/2019). Written and oral exams are mandatory for all students.

TESTS AULAWEB (only for students matriculated ay 2018-2019)

Two online quiz tests for each module of the course are available on Aulaweb. Each test is passed if the score is ≥ 7/10. For each test, the student is awarded with 0.5 points (for a maximum of 2 points, 1 for module A and 1 for module B).

COMPLETE WRITTEN TEST

The complete written test consists of four exercises: 2 exercises on Mechanics + 2 exercises on Electromagnetism. The maximum time available for the complete test (2 + 2 problems) is four hours. The dates of the written tests are reported on Aulaweb and on the exam calendar website. Only scheduled exams are granted.

PARTIAL WRITTEN TESTS

There are two partial written tests reserved for those enrolled in the ay 2018-2019. The first (on the module A - classical Mechanics), concurrent with the ordinary exams of January and February 2019, consists of 2 exercises on Mechanics. The second one (on module B - Electromagnetism), concurrent with the ordinary exams of June and July 2019, in 2 exercises on Electromagnetism. The maximum time available for each partial test is 2 hours.

Only students enrolled in ay 2018-2019 can choose this type of written test. 

The partial written exam on Mechanics of January 2019, can be repeated, regardless of the test result, in February 2019.

If the partial exam on Mechanics is passed with a score ≥ 15/32 (excluding Aulaweb test points), students are entitled to sustain the partial exam on Electromagnetism, which will take place during the ordinary tests of June and July 2019. Also in this case it is possible to repeat the test in July 2019.

If the second partial test is passed with a score ≥ 15/32 (excluding Aulaweb test points), the written exam is considered passed with a score equal to the arithmetic mean of the first and second partial tests.

WHAT CAN I CONSULT DURING THE WRITTEN?

During the written tests students are not allowed to use any text-book. A copy of the formulary (the same downloadable from Aulaweb) is provided to each student. No electronic devices other than scientific calcuator are allowed.

CAN I REPEAT THE WRITTEN EXAM?

The student who has already passed the written exam, if not satisfied of the mark, can repeat written exam. The submission of the new classwork cancels the previous mark, indipendently on the result.

HOW LONG THE WRITTEN EXAM MARK IS VALID?

The mark of the written exam, obtained through the complete test (≥ 15/32) or through the two partial tests (≥ 15/32 for each test), grants the right to access to the oral exam up to the examination date of February 2020 included.

WHEN ARE THE ORAL EXAMINATIONS?

The oral examination dates are announced during the written test, and are reported on Aulaweb.

WRITTEN EXAM REGISTRATION

For limits in booking of classrooms, students wishing to take part in the written, partial or complete exam must register on unigepass, at least 5 days before the date of the exam.

Exam schedule