OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide students with the basic notions of classical physics, which form the basis for other subjects in the degree course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce students to the principles of classical physichs with specific reference to medical physichs and provide them with a methodological approach to solving a series of elementary problems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must learn the main elements of solid and fluid mechanics, thermology and thermodynamics, electromagnetism, wave phenomena, and light, with particular reference to topics of major relevance for students in Life Science courses.

Further, the course aims to provide students with a method to deal with new topics gradually encountered in subsequent studies.

The student will need to learn how to correlate lecture topics with the ability to solve simple physics exercises.

The student must be able to apply mathematical and geometric knowledge to the proposed physical problems.

The student must acquire the ability to understand and correlate rather than relying solely on memorization.

PREREQUISITES

Basic mathematics

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Mechanics

Summary of vector calculus - Physical quantities and units –  Kinematics: uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion – Principles of dynamics – Forces – Work – Conservative and non-conservative forces –  Kinetic and potential energy -  Mechanical energy conservation.

Fluids

Fluid statics – Definition of pressure – Pascal’s principle – Stevino’s law – Archimedes’ principle – Fluid dynamics – Flow rate – Continuity equation – Bernoulli’s equation – Viscosity – Poiseuille’s equation – Sedimentation – Laminar and turbulent flow – Blood circulation.

Thermodynamics

Definition of temperature – Calorimetric equation – Thermodynamic work – First law – Thermodynamic cycles – Second law – Entropy.

Electricity and Magnetism

Electric charge – Coulomb’s law – Electric field – Electric field generated by a distribution of point charges – Electric potential – Electric potential generated by a distribution of point charges – Electric dipole – Conductors and insulators – Electric current – Ohm’s laws – Capacitors – Series and parallel connections – Basic electrical circuits – RC circuit – Electrical modeling of the cell membrane and axon – Introduction to the magnetic field.

Optics

Electromagnetic waves: general properties, polarization – Geometric optics – Snell's laws – Thin lens equation – The eye and visual defects – Microscopes.

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
- A. Alessandrini, Fisica per le scienze della vita, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Rozzano (MI)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ORNELLA CAVALLERI (President)

CLAUDIO CANALE

DARIO MASSABO' (Substitute)

ALESSANDRA PESCE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

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

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test lasting 90 minutes, which involves solving physics problems. If the written exam score is between 15/30 and 17/30, an oral exam must also be taken. The oral exam is optional if the written exam score is at least 18/30 (if the correction of the written test presents critical elements that require clarification, the student must also take an oral exam).

During the course, two interim tests are scheduled, which, if both passed with a score of at least 18/30, allow the student to pass the exam with a grade equal to the average of the partial test scores. In the June exam session, there is the possibility to retake only one of the interim tests.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam covers topics from the program taught in class and aims to verify the achievement of the learning objectives. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts covered and the ability to apply them to solve simple physics problems. When the learning objectives are not met, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge. Teachers are available to provide clarification.

To help students achieve the learning objectives more effectively, in-progress exams are scheduled during the course. These exams aim to help students organize their study by modulating the workload over time. If the score of each in-progress exam is at least 18/30, the exam is considered passed.

Exam schedule