PHYSICS APPLIED TO MEDICINE
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Mandatory presence
Written test
The general objective is to familiarize students with the general principles of physics, emphasizing their applications in the medical and biological fields. Specific objectives are to enable the student to evaluate the link between physics and other scientific disciplines, and to recall the physical concepts necessary for understanding the topics covered in other courses (physiology, anatomy, biology, etc.); to understand the physical principles on which some equipment used in biology and medicine is based; to analytically solve some biomechanical problems.
The course will cover the principles of classical physics applied mainly to mechanics, describing the kinematics of different motions, the conditions of equilibrium and the motion of bodies in relation to the forces applied on them. In particular, the mechanics of liquids (hydraulics) will be explored in depth, describing the main principles of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics. The course will delve into the relevant applications in physiology and cardiology, with examples of Biomechanics. The course will also cover the principles relating to heat exchange between bodies, with applications to human thermoregulation.
Measurements, Units of measurement, Dimensional calculation. Summary of Mathematical Principles.
Vectors: Graphic and analytical representation; Operations between vectors: Sum, Multiplication by a number, Difference, Incremental and Derivative Ratio, Scalar Product, Vector Product
Kinematics: Motion and Stillness, Reference system, trajectory.
Rectilinear Motions: Instantaneous Speed, Instantaneous Acceleration
Equations of Uniform Rectilinear Motion and Uniformly Accelerated Rectilinear Motion; Free fall; Vertical Jump.
Curvilinear motion in the plane with constant acceleration. Application: Motion of a projectile.
Uniform circular motion. Biomechanical Application: stimulation of the utricle of the labyrinth; artificial gravity.
Forces: Unification of Forces. Measurement and Composition of Forces. Torque. Couple of forces.
Statics: Principles of Equilibrium of a Rigid Body; Stabilometric platform; Center of gravity; Levers; Friction forces.
Dynamics: Newton's First, Second and Third Laws; conservation of momentum; Fictitious Forces, Law of Gravitation.
Work: Kinetic Energy Theorem; Conservative Forces; Potential energy; Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy; Dissipative forces; Power
Heat: Temperature; Thermal expansion. Phase Change, Latent Heat. Absolute Temperature. Principle of thermal equilibrium: Conduction, Convection, Radiation. Human thermoregulation.
Hydrostatics: Density, Pressure. Archimedes' principle. Laplace's Law: Pressure in a Cardiac Chamber, Transmural Pressure in a Vessel. Vascular compliance. Stevino's Law: Hydrostatic Pressure in the Human Body; Communicating vessels.
Hydrodynamics: Laminar and Turbulent Flow. Continuity equation. Viscosity. Bernoulli equation. Application: Riva Rocci pressure gauge; Venturi flowmeter. Hydraulic resistances, in series and parallel
Lectures, homework and correction of homework in class
Recommended Texts
1) Handouts provided by the teacher.
2) J.W. Kane, M. M. Sternheim. Fisica Biomedica (in 2 volumi) Ed. EMSI Roma.
3) G.M. Contessa, G.A. Marzo. Fisica applicata alle scienze mediche. Ed. CEA