AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Physics course module A has the following objectives:

• to provide basic knowledge on classical Mechanics (mod. A) and Electromagnetism (mod. B)
• to provide useful tools for modeling and analyzing real complex physical situations
• to show, with examples, how simple models of real complex situations can be used 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

At the end of the course, students will be able to

• describe and use the scientific method for the analysis of physical phenomena
• understand the language/lexicon of Physics in the description of physical phenomena
• identify the model that best describes a given physical phenomenon,
• use the language/lexicon of physics in describing physical phenomena and solving problems
• describe the theory of classical mechanics (mod. A) and electromagnetism (mod. B) in vacuum
• describe the physical reality in a quantitative way
• solve problems of mechanics (mod. A) and electromagnetism (mod. B) by combining the theoretical notions of physics with the appropriate mathematical formalism
• explain each step when solving an exercise, when providing a formal demonstration and when describing a model
• self-assess the ability to describe physical situations by exploiting the proposed models

TEACHING METHODS

The topics of the course are presented with different teaching strategies (60 hours for each module). The lessons consist of:

• traditional teaching based on teacher-led demonstrations and presentation of examples at the blackboard
• PowerPoint presentations
• videos
• simulation tools (Matlab, Algodoo, java applet)

After introducing a new topic, the teacher always shows examples and solves exercises on the blackboard.

Students are invited to participate in the lesson by means of:

• exercises led by the teacher and carried out in small groups
• apps that allow students to immediately verify that they have understood the teacher's explanation through short questionnaires and exercises. These tests are always carried out anonymously. The tests allow the teacher to monitor, during the course of the lesson, the level of understanding by the class
• exercises to be carried out at home, independently, or in a group
• exercises based on the "think-pair-share" method
• simple experiments aimed at predict or verify physical laws

Each lesson combines at least three different teaching methods.

To support students during the preparation of the written and oral parts of the exam, a teaching assistant will organize sessions during which exercises will be solved and discussed.

Both modules (A and B) of the course include two tests, which allow the students to self-evaluate and the teacher to assess the learning level of the class. The tests are carried out remotely, via the Aulaweb, in the middle and at the end of the 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.
2) R.A. Serway, Jewett, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers", 10th Edition.
3) P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro e C. Voci, "Elementi di Fisica - meccanica e termodinamica", ed. Edises.

4) S. Focardi, I. Massa, A. Uguzzoni, M. Villa, “Fisica Generale – Meccanica e termodinamica”, II edizione,  Ed. CEA.

5) M. Villa, A. Uguzzoni, “Esercizi di Fisica- Meccanica come risolvere i problemi”, Ed. CEA.