AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide students with a basic knowledge of the laws of classical mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. To develop the ability to solve simple physical problems and experiments. To provide students with the methodology required to analyse and process experimental data.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Educational objectives are focused on learning the basics and analytical description of mechanical, thermodynamic, and electromagnetic phenomena, and methods for defining quantitave relationships between observations of natural facts and their models.  For this, emphasis is placed on observing natural facts, defining and quantifying the quantities involved, and relating them to models that describe why phenomena occur and how they occur. The objectives of physics teaching are supplemented with practical laboratory of general physics, where the steps of observing and quantifying phenomena through measuring instruments are more developed. The expected outcomes are: observation skills, quantification of physical quantities, analytical modeling and prediction of natural facts in the areas of mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching is conducted with lectures and exercises on the program topics for a total of 12 CFUs of didactic delivery. Experimental classroom demonstrations will be conducted to support the theoretical lectures according to the availability and possibilities of teaching aids. The recommended texts are the basic reference for study and exercises. Supplementary notes on the topics covered in the lectures will be posted on the aulaweb site, especially when they differ from the reference text.  Laboratory experiences will be preceded by a lecture in which the objectives, methods and technical details are described. Tracks for performing the experiences will be posted on Aulaweb during this lecture. Each laboratory work will end with the completion of a sheet in which the following should be reported: the measurement methodology, the data acquired in the form of tables and graphs, and the result of the measurement with estimated uncertainties. The laboratory works take place in 5 afternoons distributed from November to May and correspond to about 3 of the total 12 CFUs of didactic delivery.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Teaching program is divided into Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism and Physics Laboratory.

Mechanics.

Motions and Forces: velocity, acceleration, mass, forces, main types of motion, reference systems and Newton's laws, force fields, force of universal gravitation, motions of planets.  Work and Energy: mechanical work, potential and kinetic energy. Law of conservation of mechanical energy and conservative forces. Dynamics of systems: center of mass, momentum, angular momentum, torque, conservation of momentum and angular momentum.  Notes on mechanics of rigid and fluid and elastic solids: moment of inertia, shock, rotational energy, internal energy, hydrostatics and fluid motion, regimes of motion, law of conservation of energy, viscous fluids.  

Thermodynamics.

Miscroscopic representation of hydrostatic systems: kinetic theory of ideal gases, pressure, internal energy, temperature. Heat and generalization of conservation of energy, first priciple of thermodynamics. Thermal machines, Carnot cycle, absolute temperature, second principle of thermodynamics, entropy.

Electromagnetism

Electrostatics: electric charge and electrostatic force, electrostatic field, potential, capacitance, dielectrics. Electromotive force, electric currents, resistance, circuits and circuit laws, RC circuit.  Magnetostatics: magnetic forces, magnetic field and electric currents, induced electromotive force, inductance, diamagnetism and paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, magnetic properties of matter. RL circuits. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and light.

Physics Laboratory.

The experimental method in the natural sciences: scientific method; experimental observations and theories; experiment and measurements. The concept of measurement: measurable quantities; units of measurement; measuring instruments; general types and behaviors of measuring instruments.  Quality of measurements: value and uncertainty; reproducibility and repeatability. Analysis of uncertainties in measurements: systematic and random; statistical treatment; functions of physical quantities with affected by uncertainty; determination of a law from experimental data.  Laboratory Activities: six small experiments selected to place the student in the condition of the experimenter who, in the complexities of phenomena, must use instruments correctly to make a measurement, or several measurements, in order to describe a phenomenon quantitatively and associate an uncertainty and communicate the final result.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fisica Generale. Principi e Applicazioni. A. Giambattista. Ed. Italiana di P. Mariani, A.Orecchini, F.Spinozzi. Ed. Mc Graw Hill 

Fondamenti di Fisica. Un approccio strategico. R.D.Knight, B.Jones, S.Field. Edizione italiana di R. Maioli. Ed. PICCIN (pagine 904)

Fondamenti di Fisica (Meccanica, Onde, Termodinamica, Elettromagnetismo, Ottica) D.Halliday,  R.Resnik, J.Walker, Ed. CEA (pagine 1024).

“Un introduzione all’Analisi degli errori”, John R.Taylor, Zanichelli

“Metodologie Sperimentali in Fisica”, Gaetano Cannelli, EdiSES

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 30, 2024 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test containing problems and questions on Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism, and a written quiz test on physics laboratory topics. In-itinerary tests equivalent to the examination tests on mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism will be given during the teaching and may be valued for passing the final exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment of the degree of knowledge of the physics concepts described in the Syllabus, the ability to interpret a phenomenon, construct the explanatory model and use it for quantitative prediction of the physical quantities that are involved. Assessment of the ability to observe phenomena in detail, make measurements and estimate uncertainties.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.