Learning objectives
Instruct students in the use of the scientific method;<br />Have them become familiar with units of measure and orders of magnitude; <br />Make students capable of independently solving simple problems in well-defined contexts; <br />Providea general foundation in physics, emphasising comprehension rather thanrote memory and emphasising a number of basic concepts that could beuseful to the student in future studies.
Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended that students have taken and passed the first year, first semester Mathematics and Statistics course
Course unit content
<br />INTRODUCTION: Units of measure (MKSA system), prefixes p-, n-, m-,m-, k-, M-, G-, exponential notation, review of elementary notions ofplane geometry and space <br />KINEMATICS: Vectors and scalars,vector sum using graphic method, commutative and associative propertiesof the sum, vector subtraction. Cartesian decomposition of a vector,review of trigonometric operations. Vector module. Scalar product,definition, property and calculation, including in the Cartesiansystem. Motion in one dimension: position, average speed andinstantaneous speed (overview of incremental relationship limit)average and instantaneous acceleration, clockwise law of motion andgraphic method. Motion in two and three dimensions: position, scalarand vector <br />average speed, instantaneous speed, average andinstantaneous acceleration. Projectile motion in the Cartesian plane,definition of position and speed, trajectory, range.<br />Uniform circular motion: period, centripetal acceleration, clockwise law. Relative motion in one and three dimensions. <br />DYNAMICS: Introduction to Newtonian dynamics: 1st and 2nd law of Newton, unit of <br />measureof force. Force composition and resulting force. Inertial referencesystems. 3rd law of Newton. All contained in the equation F=m*a. Weightforce. Inertial and gravitational mass. Normal force. Overview offriction force. Cable tension. Study of dynamics in various systems:frictionless inclined plane, with attached masses, cable tension.Friction between two solid surfaces: static and dynamic cases,phenomenological description and microscopic explanation. Overview ofsurface physics. Practical applications. maximum landslide angle, <br />holdof braking automobiles, ABS system and braking distance). Inclinedplane with friction. Aerodynamic friction, maximum speed of fall forraindrops and parachutists Dynamics of uniform circular motion:automobiles in a curve, spaceships in orbit. ENERGY. Definition ofkinetic energy and work, unit of measure. Work-kinetic energy theorem.Work of gravitational force. Average and<br /> instantaneous power, unitof measure. Conservative force, potential energy, gravitational case.Total mechanical energy and its conservation in isolated systems. Workperformed by an outside force. Conservation of total energy in presenceof friction and outside forces (overview of heat as a form of energy) <br />ELECTROMAGNETISM:Electrical charge, electrical fields, electrostatic potential,resistance and Ohm’s law Kirchhoff’s laws for circuits.
Bibliography
For students attending lectures: Nuova Physica by A. Caforio A. Ferilli, ed. Le Monnier, 1.o volume. <br />Studentswho are UNABLE to attend lectures will find the following textbook, D.Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker Fondamenti di Fisica, or any Americanuniversity textbook to be a useful aid.
Teaching methods
<br />
METHOD: Classroom lectures with extensive exercises at the blackboard and others assigned for the student to solve at home.<br />
EVALUATION:for students attending class: written exams during the course plus a final oral exam; for those not attending the course and/or those who donot pass the three exams giving during the course: convocation for a written and oral exam.
