OVERVIEW

The course “Fisica e laboratorio di misure fisiche” aims to provide the student with the fundamental notions of classical physics which form the basis for other subjects of the degree course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In particular, the aims and the learning outcomes of the course are the following:

- acquire the basic concepts and principles of classical physics that are involved in most of the phenomena investigated in scientific disciplines

- acquire the ability to solve simple physics problems in a quantitative way

PREREQUISITES

Basic mathematics

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons of physics and practical experiences in laboratory.

Lessons on physics provide students with the principles and methods of classical physics useful for the study of biological phenomena. The purpose of the laboratory experiences is to teach the principles and methods of measurement through the use of the most common laboratory tools and statistical and graphic processing of the measured data.

Lessons and laboratory experiences will be held in presence. Please refer to the AulaWeb of the course for any update due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation following the COVID-19 emergency.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching is structured to give the student basic notions in the field of mechanics, electromagnetism, optics and thermodynamics. The main topics covered are:

• Summary of vector calculus and kinematics
• Mechanics of solids: principles of dynamics, forces, work, power, energy, mechanical energy conservation, quantity of motion, collisions
• Mechanics of fluids: statics, ideal and real fluids dynamics, surface phenomena
• Electromagnetism: electric charge, Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, capacitors, electric current, resistors, simple circuits, magnetic field, electromagnetic induction
• Electromagnetic waves: general properties
• Optics: geometric optics (Snell's laws, thin lens equation), introduction to physical optics
• Thermodynamics: calorimetry (thermometers, heat quantity, heat capacity and specific heat, phase transitions), thermodynamic variables, ideal gas law, internal energy and first thermodynamics law, thermal machines, entropy, second thermodynamics law, thermodynamic potentials

• Four laboratory experiences: mechanics, electrical measurements, geometric optics and calorimetry

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- D.C. Giancoli, Fisica, CEA, Milano
- J.S. Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica, Zanichelli, Bologna
- F. Borsa, A. Lascialfari, Principi di Fisica per indirizzo biomedico e farmaceutico, EdiSES, Napoli
- M. Celasco, D. Panzieri, 2000 problemi di Fisica, ECIG, Genova

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALESSANDRA PESCE (President)

CESARE USAI

ORNELLA CAVALLERI (President Substitute)

PAOLO CANEPA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

PHYSICS AND LABORATORY OF PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written part (exercises on the topics covered during classes) and an oral part on the theory of errors, based on the experiences carried out in the laboratory. During the written test, students can use the formulary downloaded from AulaWeb.

If the grade of the physics written test (Vf) is 15 <= Vf <= 17, students must also take an oral examination in physics, taking as a starting point the exercises carried out in the written exam. If the mark of the written exam of physics is < 15/30, the student must repeat the written exam.

During the course there are three ongoing physics partial tests which, if passed all with a grade of at least 18/30, allow direct access to the oral laboratory exam.

If it is not possible to carry out the lessons in person, the physics partial tests will not be carried out. Please refer to the AulaWeb of the course for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam is divided into two parts: one on physics and one on the laboratory experiences. The final grade is given by the weighted average, based on the number of credits, of the votes obtained in the two parts.

The physics exam is a written test lasting 90 minutes and it consists of solving problems which are assigned different scores, taking into account the different difficulties. In the event that the mark of the physics written exam (Vf) is 15 <= Vf <= 17, a further oral physics exam must also be held, taking as starting point the exercises carried out in the written exam. During the course there are three ongoing physics partial tests which, if passed all with a grade of at least 18/30, allow direct access to the laboratory oral exam.

The laboratory exam consists of an oral test in which the knowledge acquired during laboratory experiences is assessed. The laboratory oral exam is carried out by a commission composed of at least two tenured teachers and has an average duration of 30 minutes.

Both parts of the exam (written and oral) focus on topics from the program carried out in class and in the laboratory and are intended to verify the achievement of the learning outcomes. When the goals are not achieved, the student is invited to better verify his/her knowledge and to deepen the study also making use of further explanations by contacting the teacher in charge of the course.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

It is strongly recommended to attend the lessons. Attendance of laboratory experiences is compulsory. It is allowed the recovery of one (only one) of the laboratory experiences. If more than one laboratory experience has been missed, the exam cannot be taken and the laboratory must be attended again next year.