OVERVIEW

The Physics II course deals with two of the main subjects of classical physics: thermodynamics and electromagnetic theory. The focus will be on the fundamental physical principles but some of its applications (like thermodynamic engines, electrical motors and generators) will also be introduced. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The specific training objective is to provide the student with the ability to solve elementary but concrete problems. This implies that the student must know how to distinguish between fundamental concepts (electric and magnetic fields and forces, works, Gauss's laws, Ampere's, Faraday's, ...) and more specific issues (motion of charges in electromagnetic fields, cylindrical condensers, .. .) demanding a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the basic concepts of thermodynamics and electromagnetism, both to deepen the cultural formation of the students, and to provide the technical tools relevant for their future work activity. The students will learn to apply the basic concepts to the solution of simple problems modelling concrete situations that could occur in the maritime workplace and ship management.

PREREQUISITES

The basic mathematical knowledge necessary to follow the lectures is

• Calculus, first and second order (quadratic) equations

• Basic trigonometry

• Functions of a real variable and their derivatives

• Basic planar and solid geometry

Other mathematical tools will be introduced or recalled during the lectures.

Knwoledge of the basic physical principles introduced in the Physics I course will also be assumed:

• the dynamics of points and rigid bodies
• basics of electromagmetism: Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, currents and circuits

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons comprising both theory and exercises.

Didactic material, including guided exercises from the Pearson catalogue, will be made available on AulaWeb.

Working students and students with certified SLD (Specific Learning Disorders), disability or other special educational needs, are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination arrangements so to take into account individual learning patterns, while respecting the teaching objectives.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Thermodynamics

• Thermodynamic systems.
• Temperature: operational definition, thermometric scales.
• Heat: operational definition, specific heat, latent heat.
• Heat transmission.
• Equation of state of perfect gases and real gases.
• Work in thermodynamic transformations with volume variation.
• Internal energy.
• First law of thermodynamics.
• Specific heats and gas molars.
• Second law of thermodynamics.
• Thermal machines and refrigeration machines.
• Entropy and second principle.
• Carnot's theorem. Absolute thermodynamic temperature.

Electromagnetism

• A review of basic electromagnetism: Coulomb's law,  Electric field and potential. Capacitors. Currents and circuits. 
• Gauss’ law and its application to the computation of the electric field generated by simmetric charge
•  Energy of a point charge and of a system of charges in an electric field. Energy density of the electric field. 
• Definition of the magnetic field through the Lorentz force. Forces on a current-carrying conductor. Mechanical moment acting on a current conducting loop. Magnetic moment of a spire.
• Methods for determining the magnetic field produced by currents: Ampère’s law.
• Flux of the magnetic field through a closed surface and through an open surface bounded by a closed line. Faraday's law. Self-induction. RL and RLC circuits. Energy density of the magnetic field.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Any "General Physics" book at university level discusses the subject of the course.

For definitness, the main reference for the course is:

D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker, Fundamentals of Physics 10E – Theory

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

STEFANO GIUSTO (President)

EDVIGE CELASCO

PAOLO SOLINAS (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10948/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

EXAM: the exam consists only in an oral part.

During the oral interview students will be asked to solve two exercises on thermodynamics and electromagnetism.

The dates of the exam will be agrreed upon with the students.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will evaluated on:

- the knowledge of the contents and the basic principles introduced during the course
- the skill to apply the basic principles to problem solving
- ability to handle and comunicate the arguments discussed during the lectures

Exam schedule