Learning objectives
Mainly this course is devoted to introduce the students to the basic concepts and principles of the classical branches of the physics. The goal is the nucleation of a basic physics background, in order to let the students to became enough confident with the understanding of the phenomena of the nature and to make the students able to apply principles and physics laws to practical problems.
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a good background of elementary mathematics: and a basic knowledge of the calculus in order to make them able to differentiate and integrate simple functions such as polynomials, sines and cosines.
Course unit content
Elementary mechanics. Fundamentals of thermodynamics. Introduction to electricity and magnetism.
Full programme
Elementary mechanics with an emphasis on the fundamental concepts and laws of mechanics, especially the conservation laws. Topics are: units, dimensional analysis, vectors, one dimensional motion, motion in two and three dimensions, Newton's laws and their applications, work and kinetic energy, potential energy, conservation of energy, momentum. Elementary thermodynamics with an emphasis on: temperature and heat, thermal properties of matter, the laws of thermodynamics. Electricity and magnetism with an emphasis on: Electric charge. Coulomb’s law. Electric field and potential. Charges on conductors. Capacitance and stored electrical energy. Current electricity and Ohm’s law. Magnetism and the Lorentz force. Force on a current element The Biot-Savart law. Ampère’s law. Solenoids and magnetic dipoles. Faraday’s law. Inductance and transformers.
Bibliography
Alan Giambattista, Betty McCarthy Richardson, Robert C. Richardson, "Fisica generale - Principi e applicazioni", McGraw Hill, Milano.
J.S. Walker, “Fondamenti di Fisica” , ed. Pearson Italia, Milano-Torino.
D.Halliday, R.Resnick, J.Walker. “Fondamenti di Fisica”, ed. Ambrosiana, Milano.
R.A.Serway, J.W.Jewett “Fondamenti di Fisica”, ed. EdiSES, Napoli.
Teaching methods
Lectures are introduced by a brief review of the previously illustrated topics and concluded by an hour of class –room exercises. There will be three midterm tests, which can partially substitute the final exam. The final exam covers all topics.
Assessment methods and criteria
frequency in attending the lectures is strongly suggested as well as the partecipation to the class-room activities and to the midterm tests. The final exam is a written one. The decision of a further oral exam is lef to the student to improve the evaluation of the written exam.
Other information
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