OVERVIEW

Module I of General Physics aims to provide the fundamental concepts and laws of classical mechanics. Particular emphasis is placed on

understanding schematizations and models, as well as analyzing their associated limitations.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this Module the students will be able to: 

1) reach solid understanding of the basic concepts of classical mechanics;

2) develop problem-solving skills in the context of classical mechanics;

3) acquire the ability to understand and interpret physical phenomena, exploiting both mathematical tools and arguments based on dimensional analysis and order of magnitude approach;

4) understand and recognise the regime of applicability of physical laws.

TEACHING METHODS

All topics are discussed at the blackboard with examples and complemented with problems and exercises (corresponding to roughly 40% of the hours).

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 Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it  ), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Introduction: measurements and units of measurements, physical observables, dimensional analysis and significant digits. Vectors: definitions and operations.
2. Kinematics of a single particle in one dimension. Definition of velocity and acceleration. Examples of 1-D motion: with costant velocity, with constant acceleration and harmonic motion.
3. Kinematics of a single particle in two and three dimensions. Position vector, displacement, velocity and acceleration. Projectile motion and circular motion.
4. Dynamics of a single particle. Force and Newton’s laws. Dynamics without friction: weight, reaction forces, inclined plane, strings and tension. The elastic force.
5. Static and dynamic friction. The drag. Examples of centripetal forces and the pendulum.
6. Relative motion: velocity and acceleration in different frames. Inertial and non-inertial frames. Fictitious forces: centrifugal forces and Coriolis.
7. Work and energy: work / kinetic-energy theorem. Examples: work done by weight, spring, friction. Conservative forces and potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy.
8. Systems of particles (I): centre of mass, the first equation of dynamics, work and energy for a system of particles. Collisions between particles.
9. Systems of particles (II): moments, the second equation of dynamics, the centre-of-mass frame,  König theorems. Systems with variable mass.
10. Proprieties of rigid bodies: definition and degrees of freedom; the motion of a rigid body. Rigid rotation, rotational inertia e the parallel axis theorem. Continuous bodies.
11.  Statics and dynamics of a rigid body: rolling without slipping; conservation laws and collisions between particles and rigid bodies.
12. Gravity: Newton’s law of gravitation, the Earth gravitational field, escape velocity. The solar system and Kepler’s laws.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

-Halliday (mechanics)

-Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci (mechanics)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

In agreement with the academic calendar of the first semester. 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test and an oral one about the whole program of General Physics (module I and II). The final grade 
will be the average of written and oral exam. 

Students that attend the lectures can take intermediate written tests (in correspondence with the January and February exams 
for Modulo I and June and July exams for Modulo II). Students passing both the partial tests with a grade of at least 15/30 are directly 
admitted to the oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written part of the exam consist of four problems. The first two concern the first module (mechanics), while the second two 
the second one (electromagnetism). The exercises aim to verify the student’s understanding of the topic as well as their 
problem-solving skills. The intermediate exams instead consist of two problems each.

The oral exam consists of simple problems and questions that aim at verifying the student’s knowledge about the various 
topics of the course.