PHYSICS I
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2022/2023
- Teacher
- LUCIANO LIBERO PAPPALARDO
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
- SSD
- FIS/01
Training objectives
- The student acquires a basic knowledge of kinematics, mechanics, fluido dynamics and thermodynamics. This includes becoming familiar with physical quantities and units, the understanding of laws, principles and theorems of mechanics and thermodynamics and their applications to the physical world. At the end of the course, the student is supposed to be able to autonomously solve simple problems of mechanics, fluido-dynamics and thermodynamics. Problem solving should be achieved first analytically and then numerically using the correct physical units.
Prerequisites
- General knowledge of math from high-school courses. Specifically, algebra, trigonometry, and elementary notions of calculus (simple derivatives and integrals).
Course programme
- The course consists of 6 credits (corresponding to 48 h of frontal lesson), plus 25 h of exercises (didactic tutoring). The course includes two macro topics: Mechanics and Thermodynamics, and is divided into 13 Modules, as follows:
Mechanics:
Module 1: Physical quantities, systems of units and vectors [4 hours]
- Physical quantities and systems of units
- universal samples (length, mass, time)
- dimensions and dimensional analysis
- generalities on vectors and vector quantities
- operations with vectors
Module 2: Kinematics in 1 and 2 dimensions [6 hours]
- position and displacement
- average velocity and instantaneous velocity
- acceleration
- uniformly accelerated motion
- free fall motion
- kinematic formulas by analytical integration
- kinematics in two and three dimensions
- motion of projectiles
- circular motions
- relative motions
Module 3: Forces and laws of dynamics [4 hours]
- laws of dynamics
- examples of particular forces
- friction
- motion in non-inertial reference systems
Module 4: Work and Energy [4 hours]
- work of a force
- kinetic energy
- potential energy
- conservative and non-conservative forces
- principle of energy conservation
- power
Module 5: Momentum and Collisions [2 Hours]
- conservation of momentum in isolated systems
- non-isolated systems
- impulsive forces
- collisions
Module 6: Oscillating motions [2 hours]
- simple harmonic motion
- energy of a harmonic oscillator
- harmonic and circular motion
- simple pendulum
- damped harmonic motion
Module 7: Center of mass, rigid body and angular momentum [8 hours]
- center of mass of discrete and continuous systems
- rotational variables
- rigid body
- moment of a force (torque)
- moment of inertia
- rotational kinetic energy
- pure rolling motion
- angular momentum and its conservation
- static equilibrium conditions
Module 8: Universal Gravitation [2 hours]
- universal law of gravity
- Kepler's laws
- gravitational potential energy
- escape velocity
Module 9: Mechanics of fluids and elastic properties of bodies [3 hours]
- density and pressure
- communicating vessels
- Pascal principle
- Archimedes principle
- Bernoulli equation
- elastic properties of solids
Thermodynamics:
Module 10: Thermometry and thermal expansion [2 hours]
- temperature, thermometers and temperature scales
- thermal expansion of solids and liquids
- the special case of water
Module 11: Heat and the first law of thermodynamics [4 hours]
- heat and internal energy
- specific heat and calorimetry
- phase changes and latent heat
- thermal conduction, convection and radiation
- work and heat in thermodynamic transformations
- first principle of thermodynamics
- properties of perfect gases
- thermodynamic transformations
Module 12: Kinetic Theory of Gases [3 Hours]
- molecular model of the perfect gas
- specific molar heat of a perfect gas
- equipartition of energy
- adiabatic transformations
- Maxwell-Boltzman velocity distribution
Module 13: Second principle, thermal machines and entropy [4 hours]
- thermal machines
- second principle: statements by Clausius and Kelvin-PLanck
- heat pumps and refrigerators
- reversible and irreversible transformations
- the Carnot machine
- entropy and second principle Didactic methods
- Lectures and solution of problems at the end of each topic (48 h). Extra support devoted to problem solving is available (~30 h). Additional support is available to alleviate difficulties that students might have on math (trigonometry, elements of calculus).
Learning assessment procedures
- The verification of the knowledge and methodologies acquired during the course includes a written and an oral exam.
The written exam is divided into two partial tests, one in the middle and the other at the end of the course, or a written exam on the whole program ("total written exam"). Students who are absent to one or both partial tests will have to take the total written exam (regardless of the grade achieved in the other partial test).
During the written tests students can use the calculator and consult a formulary prepared by themselves (maximum 1 or 2 A4 sheet). It is not allowed to use text books, lecture notes, smartphones, tablets, etc.
For the admission to the oral exam a minimum score of 15 is required for the total written exam or an average of 15 in the two partials, with at least 12 in each of those.
Students who have obtained at least 18 as an average of the two partials (having obtained at least 12 in each of them) have the possibility of avoiding the oral exam. In this case the final grade will be given by the average grade of the two partial exams.
Students who have obtained at least 20 in the total written test have the possibility of avoiding the oral exam. In this case, the final mark will be given by that of the written one, reduced by 2 points (and therefore it cannot, under any circumstances, exceed 28).
The students who have passed the partial tests are free to attend also the total written exam (to improve the grade). In this case, however, the evaluation of the written part will be determined solely by the grade of the total written exam, regardless of the grades of the partial tests obtained previously. The student is free to attend the subsequent total written exams in order to improve the grade. In this case, however, the evaluation of the written exam will only be determined by the grade of the last total written exam, regardless of the grades obtained previously.
The oral exam is typically structured into 3/4 questions that can span the entire program, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of basic physical concepts and understanding of their applications. An insufficient grade at the oral exam requires the repetition of the oral exam, regardless of the grade of the written exam. Reference texts
- The textbook of reference is:
Serway - Jewett, "Fisica per Scienze ed Ingegneria, Volume 1, V Edizione", EdiSES
Lecture notes prepared by the teacher will be accessible and downloadable through the Classroom of the course.
For a more in-depth treatment of the various topics refer to the following optional (more advanced) text:
M. Agnello, S. Bufalino, F. Laviano, "Fisica I" , Società' Editrice Esculapio
