OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to the classical mechanics of point-particles and rigid bodies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This teaching unit provides the fundamental concepts and principles of classical Mechanics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module A of the General Physics teaching unit has the following objectives:

• to provide basic knowledge on classical Mechanics
• to provide useful tools for modeling and analyzing real complex physical situations
• to show, with examples, how simple models of real complex situations can be used to make predictions about the evolution of physical systems
• to construct a language suitable for the description of the physical reality
• to stimulate communication between students around topics of Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to

• describe and use the scientific method for the analysis of physical phenomena
• understand the language/lexicon of physics in the description of physical phenomena
• identify the model that best describes a given physical phenomenon,
• use the language/lexicon of physics in describing physical phenomena and solving problems
• describe the theory of classical mechanics
• describe the physical reality in a quantitative way
• solve problems of mechanics by combining the theoretical notions of physics with the appropriate mathematical formalism
• explain each step when solving an exercise, when providing a formal demonstration and when describing a model
• self-assess the ability to describe physical situations by exploiting the proposed models

Acquisition of soft, transversal skills
The module aims to encourage the acquisition of transversal skills such as functional literacy competence, personal competence, social competence, the learning-to-learn ability.

TEACHING METHODS

The topics of the module are presented with different teaching strategies (60 hours for each module). The lessons consist of:

• traditional teaching based on teacher-led demonstrations and presentation of examples at the blackboard
• PowerPoint presentations
• videos
• simulation tools (Matlab, Algodoo, java applet)

After introducing a new topic, the teacher always shows examples and solves exercises on the blackboard.

Students are invited to participate in the lesson by means of:

• exercises led by the teacher and carried out in small groups
• apps that allow students to immediately verify that they have understood the teacher's explanation through short questionnaires and exercises. These tests are always carried out anonymously. 
• exercises to be carried out at home, independently, or in a group
• exercises based on the "think-pair-share" method
• simple experiments aimed at predict or verify physical laws

Each lesson combines at least three different teaching methods.

Group exercises in the classroom, "think pair share" activities will support the acquisition of basic level personal and social skills and basic functional literacy skills. The use of learning apps during lessons, and the teachers' habit of offering self-evaluation tips, both during lessons and during oral tests, will favor the acquisition of metacognition skills (basic level personal skills, basic level learning-to-learn skills).

In order to support the students during the preparation of the written and oral parts of the exam, a teaching assistant will organize sessions during which exercises will be solved and discussed.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School Disability Coordinator at the beginning of the teaching unit to discuss possible teaching methods that, while respecting the teaching unit objectives, take into account individual learning styles. The contact details of the School Disability Coordinator are available at the following link: University Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Content of Module A:

1.  Introduction to scientific method. Reference frames. Vectors and sum of vectors. Components of a vector with respect to a set of orthogonal Cartesian axes. Scalar product and vector product. Point particle approximation. Motion of a point particle: position, displacement, velocity and acceleration vectors. Trajectory of a point in space. Equations of motion. Circular motion: angular velocity, centripetal and tangential acceleration. Relative motion.
2.  Forces as a cause of motion. First law of Newton. Inertial reference frames. The second and third Newton's law. Weight force, normal force, elastic force, friction, contact forces. Work done by a force. Kinetic energy, the work-kinetic energy theorem. Power. Conservative forces and potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Impulsive forces and impulse of force. Impacts between non-constrained point particles: elastic, inelastic and completely inelastic collision.
3. Systems of point particles; internal and external forces. Center of mass; motion of the center of mass. Linear momentum. Influence of external forces on momentum. Conservation of momentum. Moment of force (or torque) and angular momentum. Influence of external forces on angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum.
4. Rigid body rotation around a fixed axis. Moment of inertia. Motion equation. Kinetic rotation energy. Constraint forces. Statics of the rigid body. Free motion of a rigid body. Rolling. Collisions between point particles and extended bodies.
5. Simple harmonic motion: amplitude, frequency and phase. Energy considerations.
6. Non-inertial reference frames and apparent forces.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The teaching material provided by the lecturer consists of the slides discussed during the lessons and uploaded to the module’s AulaWeb page.

1) D. Halliday, R.Resnick, J.Walker, “Physics” Vol.I.
2) R.A. Serway, Jewett, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers", 10th Edition.

In Italian
3) P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro e C. Voci, "Elementi di Fisica - meccanica e termodinamica", ed. Edises.

4) M. Villa, A. Uguzzoni, “Esercizi di Fisica- Meccanica come risolvere i problemi”, Ed. CEA.

The teaching materials are also considered appropriate for students with learning disabilities. If different materials or methods are needed, students are encouraged to contact the instructor.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11911/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

EXAM: written exam (one complete or two partial - mandatory) + oral exam (mandatory)

The final grade is the result of the sum of the marks of the written and oral exams. Written and oral exams are mandatory for all students.

IN ITINERE ACTIVITIES (only for newly matriculated students)

For Module A, the "in itinere" activities will allow students to earn 1 bonus point, which will be added to the written exam grade. The activities and the criteria for awarding the additional point will be explained in class and posted on the course’s AulaWeb page.

The bonus points earned through the in-course activities will remain valid until the February examination session of the current academic year.

COMPLETE WRITTEN TEST

The complete written test consists of four exercises: 2 exercises on Mechanics + 2 exercises on Electromagnetism. The maximum time for the complete test (2 + 2 problems) is four hours. The dates of the written tests are reported on Aulaweb and on the exam calendar website. Only scheduled exams are granted.

PARTIAL WRITTEN TESTS (for newly enrolled students only)

Two partial written tests are available exclusively to newly enrolled students.

The first test covers Module A (Classical Mechanics) and consists of two mechanics exercises. It will take place during the regular January and February examination sessions. The second test covers Module B (Electromagnetism) and consists of two electromagnetism exercises. It will take place during the regular June and July examination sessions.

Students will have a maximum of two hours to complete each test.

The January partial test on Mechanics may be retaken in February, regardless of the result obtained in January.

Students who achieve a score of at least 15/32 in the Mechanics test, excluding any bonus points awarded through the AulaWeb activities, are eligible to take the partial test on Electromagnetism during the regular June or July examination session. The Electromagnetism test may also be retaken in July, regardless of the result obtained in June.

If students achieve a score of at least 15/32 in the second partial test, excluding any bonus points, the written examination is considered passed. The final grade will be the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained in the two partial tests.

CAN I USE TEXTBOOKS DURING THE WRITTEN EXAM?

During the written exam, students are not allowed to use any textbook. A copy of the formulary (the same downloadable from Aulaweb) is provided to each student. No electronic devices other than scientific calculators are allowed.

CAN I REPEAT THE WRITTEN EXAM?

The student who has already passed the written exam, if not satisfied with the mark, can repeat the written exam. The submission of the new classwork cancels the previous mark independently of the result.

HOW LONG THE MARK OF THE WRITTEN EXAM IS VALID?

The mark of the written exam, obtained with the complete test (≥ 15/32) or with the two partial tests (≥ 15/32 for each test), grants admission to the oral examination until the February examination session of the current academic year.

DATE OF THE ORAL EXAM

The date of oral examinations is announced during the written exam and is published on Aulaweb.

WRITTEN EXAM 

Due to the limitations related to classroom booking, students wishing to take part in the written, partial or complete exam must register on unige pass, at least 5 days before the exam date.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment tools associated with each learning objective are reported in the table below. 

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