OVERVIEW

The course deals with the application of mathematical physics techniques for a more in-depth analysis of the nation of point masses and rigid bodies. The student will be introduced to more mathematically rigorous treatment of Newtonian mechanics and to the basics of analytical mechanics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Course attendance and practice of the class for will allow the students to:
-understand the mathematical basis of the Newtonian  kinematics and dynamics
- be able to solve problems involving the dynamics of point masses and rigid bodies.

PREREQUISITES

The nature of the course work will require a very good knowledge of the basic notions of analytic geometry , single and multi-variable calculus and  knowledge of the fundamentals of the mechanics point masses and rigid bodies.

TEACHING METHODS

Online teaching, exercises. Attendance to the course is recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Elements of vector algebra and of the theory of geometric curves:

Free and applied vectors. Vector quantities. Geometrical representation of free and applied vectors. Orthogonal projections. Scalar product. Orthonormal bases. Vector product. Mixed product, double vector product and their representation in components. Orthogonal matrices  and change of orthonormal bases. Euler Angles. Linear operators and their representation in terms of matrices. Symmetric linear operators and their matrix representation. Symmetric and antisymmetric linear operators. Rectification formula. Arc length parameter. Frenet frame. Curvature and Torsion. 

Absolute kinematics:

The concept of observer. Absolute space and absolute time axioms. Velocity, acceleration and their Cartesian representation.

Relative Kinematics:

Relative motion between frames. Angular velocity. Poisson formulas. Composition of angular velocities.  Frame dragging motions. Theorem of composition of velocities and accelerations.

Dynamics:

First Principle of dynamics. Inertial mass. Momentum. Conservation of momentum for isolated systems. Second and third principle of dynamics. Work and Power of  force. Conservative forces. Potential of conservative forces. Kinetic energy. Work-Energy theorem. Conservation of energy.

Relative Dynamics:

Fictious forces. Mechanics on the surface of Earth.

Mechanics of point masses:

Motion of a free point mass. Motion of a point mass along a smooth curve and a rough one. 

Mechanics of systems of particles:

Systems of applied vectors. Resultant and total angular momentum of systems of vectors. Scalar invariant. Central axis. Reducible and irreducible systems of vectors. Center of a system of parallel applied vectors. Barycenter. Key mechanical quantities of systems of particles. Koenig theorem.  Force-torque equations. Work-Energy theorem for systems of particles. Conservation laws of systems of particles. 

Mechanics of the rigid body:

Reference frame comoving with a rigid body. Act of motion of a rigid body. Velocity and acceleration of the points of a rigid body. Examples of rigid motion. Composition of rigid motions. Key mechanical quantities of the rigid motion. Inertia tensor and its properties. Torque of a rigid body with respect to an axis. Inertia matrices. Huygens’ theorem and parallel-Axis theorem  Force Torque equations for rigid bodies. Power of a system of forces acting on a rigid body. Work-Energy theorem for rigid bodies. Motion of a free rigid body. Ideal constraints applied to a rigid body. Pure rolling. Rigid body with a fixed axis. Poinsot motion and permanent rotations. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The main topics of the course can be found in Biscari P. et al. “Meccanica razionale”, Monduzzi editore (2007)--third edition. Lectures also integrate lelements of Massa E., “Appunti di meccanica razionale” (dipense); Grioli G. “Lezioni di meccanica razionale” Edizioni Libreria Cortina." Padua, Italy (1988);  Demeio L. “Elementi di meccanica classica per l’ingegneria”, Città Studi edizioni (2016); Bampi F. , Zordan, C., “Lezioni di meccanica razionale” ECIG 1998; C. Cercignani, “Spazio, Tempo, Movimento”, Zanichelli; M.D. Vivarelli, “Appunti di Meccanica Razionale”, Zanichelli.

Reference for exercises: Muracchini A. et al. ”Esercizi e temi d’esame di Meccanica Razionale” (2013); Bampi F. et al “Problemi di meccanica razionale” ECIG, (1984).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SANTE CARLONI (President)

PATRIZIA BAGNERINI

ROBERTO CIANCI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

21st of September 2020

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam plus oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will verify the acquisition of theoretical knowledge. 

The written exam will assess the capability of the students to apply the knowledge acquired to sol the problem of the dynamics of point masses and rigid bodies.

Exam schedule