PHYSICS- MODULE A
Basic knowledge of calculus.
The course consists of two parts. The first one, concerning Mechanics and Fluids, is taught by Dr. Alessia Allevi, whereas the second one, concerning Electromagnetism, is taught by Dr. Romualdo Santoro. The lectures, in which the theoretical concepts of the course will be taught, will be supported by 40 hours of lessons devoted to exercises.
1. The main aim of the course of Physics is to ensure that the students learn the fundamental laws of classical Mechanics (Descriptor of Dublin: Knowledge and understanding).
2. More generally, the course is aimed at helping the students to understand and learn the scientific method (Descriptor of Dublin: Applying knowledge and understanding).
3. In particular, it is required that the students learn how to independently analyze, address and solve the Physics problems that will be proposed within the course (Descriptors of Dublin: Making judgements and Learning skills).
Basic tools (3 hours)
The concept of measurement in Physics. Vector calculus. Scalar product and vector product.
1-D particle Kinematics (7 hours)
Speed, velocity and acceleration. Motion along a straight line. Motion in 2 and 3 dimensions. Projectile motion and circular motions. Relative kinematics.
1-D particle Dynamics (8 hours)
The principle of inertia. Newton’s laws. Friction forces. Harmonic motions. Small oscillations. Fictitious forces.
Conservation laws (11 hours)
Work and energy. Conservative forces. Impulse and linear momentum. Angular momentum and torque. Center of mass for a system of particles. Newton’s laws for a system of particles. Elastic and inelastic collisions.
Mechanics of rigid body (10 hours)
Moment of inertia. Rotation of a rigid body. General motion of a rigid body. Statics of rigid bodies.
Gravitation (3 hours)
Universal gravitation law. Kepler’s laws.
Fluid mechanics (3 hours)
Pressure. Fluid statics. Fluid dynamics.
Electrostatics
The electrical charge. The electric field. Flow determined by a vector field. Gauss's theorem. Applications of Gauss’s theorem. The electrostatic potential. The electrostatic field in conductors. Capacitance. Capacitors. Capacitors and dielectrics.
Electrodynamics
The electric current. Conservation of the electric charge. Ohm's laws. The Joule effect. The electromotive force. Kirchhoff's laws. RC circuits.
Magnetostatics
The magnetic field. Magnetic action on the electric current. The Biot-Savart law. Magnetic induction flux. Ampère's theorem. Applications of Ampère's theorem.
Electromagnetic induction
Faraday's law. The induced electric field. General law of electromagnetic induction. Lenz's law and conservation of energy. RL circuits. Induced magnetic fields.
The topics presented within the Course can be found on the e-learning platform. On the same platform you can also find some solved exercises and the past exams (including solutions).
The suggested text is:
D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, Wiley.
The text is available in 1 volume, but it can be also found in two volumes.