OVERVIEW

The Applied Physics course consists of a selection of the most relevant topics for students in Odontoiatry. It intends to lead students to deal with the solution of problems in quantitative terms.
The course is divided into modules under Aulaweb, each of which contains teaching material related to the topics covered in class and exercises.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To transfer the methodology of physics as a basis for scientific learning. To explain the basic principles of physics and their implications in the biomedical field. To teach how to solve simple physics problems on topics directly related to the biomedical field and to provide quantitative assessments and estimates of the phenomena analyzed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students must learn the main elements of mechanics of solids and fluids, thermology and thermodynamics, electromagnetism, wave phenomena and light, with particular reference to the most relevant topics for students in Odontoiatry.

Students will have to learn to correlate the topics of the lessons with the ability to solve simple physics exercises.

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

Students will have to acquire the ability to understand and correlate rather than relying only on memory acquisition.

PREREQUISITES

Basic mathematics

TEACHING METHODS

The course is held through frontal lessons. Students are required to attend the course and can find material related to the topics covered during the lessons on AulaWeb.

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 School/Department before class begins, in order to arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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

• Summary of vector calculus and kinematics
• Solid Mechanics: principles of dynamics, forces, work, power, energy, conservation of mechanical energy. Torque. Conditions of equilibrium of a rigid body. Levers.
• Fluid Mechanics: fluid statics (Pascal's principle, Stevin's law, Archimedes' principle), dynamics of ideal fluids (continuity equation, Bernoulli's theorem) and real fluids (viscosity, Poiseuille's law, Reynolds number, Stokes' law).
• Thermodynamics: thermometry and calorimetry (temperature scales, heat, thermal capacity and specific heat, phase changes), thermodynamic variables, state equations, ideal and real gases, thermodynamic transformations, internal energy, first law of thermodynamics, heat engines and refrigerators, entropy, second law of thermodynamics.
• Electromagnetism: electric charge, Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, capacitance and capacitors, electric current, resistances, simple circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, magnetic field, Lorentz force, magnetic force on a current-carrying wire, magnetic induction (Faraday-Neumann-Lenz law).
• Electromagnetic Waves: general properties, polarization.
• Optics: geometric optics (reflection and refraction, Snell's laws, chromatic dispersion, mirrors and thin lenses, thin lens equation, optical instruments). Introduction to physical optics (interference and diffraction, resolution limit of an optical instrument).
• Application of Physical Principles to Medical Diagnostics: stimulated emission and basic principles of LASER; X-rays (radiographs and CT scans); radioactive decay (scintigraphy and PET).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- D.C. Giancoli, Fisica, CEA, Milano

- G. Bellini, G. Manuzio, Fisica  per le scienze della vita, PICCIN, Padova

- 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

ALESSANDRA PESCE (President)

ORNELLA CAVALLERI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Follow the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

APPLIED PHYSICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The Applied Physics exam is a 90 minute written test and consists of solving physics problems and answering multiple-choice theoretical questions. Points are assigned to the problems and questions based on their difficulties. If the written exam score is between 15/30 and 17/30, an oral exam is required. The oral exam is optional if the written score is at least 18/30.

During the course, there are three in-progress partial exams. If all of these exams are passed with a score of at least 18/30, the course exam is passed with a grade equal to the average of the partial test scores. In the exam sessions of June and July, it is possible to repeat one of the in-progress exams. Students that have not passed at least two in-progress exams must take the complete exam.

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