OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the basic notions, concepts, and methods necessary to describe the physical phenomena of the surrounding world, including those concerning the earth system and geological dynamics. Thanks to the close connection between theory and facts, the study of physics helps students develop a scientific attitude, extremely useful for solving the concrete problems that a geologist will face.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This one semester course will provide Geology students with an in-depth study of the fundamental laws of Mechanics and termodynamics. The course is designed for first year students who are assumed to have little or no background knowledge in Physics. It is assumed however that the students have some fundamental knowledge of elementary Mathematics: algebra, geometry and trigonometry in particular. The basic and practical aspects of Mechanics will be introduced with an emphasis on the energy balance of a mechanical process. The course coninues with the study of systems of particles and solid bodies and their fundamental laws involving momentum and angular momentum. Finaly there willl be an introduction to the laws of thermology and of the thermodynamical systems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance, interaction with the teacher during lectures and individual study will allow the student to

- know the concepts and formulas underlying Classical Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, and Thermodynamics;

- develop a scientific attitude aimed at actively solving problems;

- be able to apply the knowledge learned by solving simple exercises in Classical Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, and Thermodynamics.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of elementary mathematics: algebra, geometry and trigonometry in particular.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures on theory (for a total of about 40 hours) and lectures in which exercises will be carried out (for a total of about 20 hours).

During the carrying out of the exercises, there will be moments in which the active participation of the students will be stimulated by involving them in the resolution process.

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 Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• The scientific method. Measure and physical laws. Units of measure and International System.
• Kinematics. Scalar and vectorial quantities.
• Newton's laws of dynamics.
• Forces: weight, gravity, elastic forces, mentions of electric forces.
• Work. Kinetic and potential energy. Conservation of energy.
• Equilibrium and motion of rigid bodies.
• Mentions of fluid statics and dynamics.
• Temperature and thermodynamic systems.
• Principles of thermodynamics.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Halliday, Resnick, Walker: Fondamenti di Fisica – Meccanica e Termologia, CEA
Giancoli: Fisica, CEA
James S Walker: Fondamenti di Fisica - Zanichelli

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DAVIDE BOCHICCHIO (President)

RICCARDO FERRANDO

CLAUDIO CANALE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam.

Optional oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written exam (problems and short exercises with open answer) and oral exam (theoretical questions).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a physical disability or learning disability certification submitted to the University can find information on support services on the webpage https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, prepared by the “Office for Inclusion Services for Students with Disabilities and SLD”.

Students may also contact Professor Cristina Carbone (cristina.carbone@unige.it), the DISTAV disability contact person.