Learning objectives
1) Knowledge of basic concepts of classical mechanics
2) Ability to schematically represent a physical phenomenon
3) Ability to frame and solve problems (also complex problems) regarding statics, kinematics and dynamics.
Prerequisites
Algebraic and analytical mathematics. Operations with scalars and vectors. Trigonometry.
Course unit content
Kinematic, dynamic and static concept applied to point mass and extended objects
- Mechanical waves and their interference
- Statics and dynamics of fluids
Full programme
- Introduction
- Physical entities, units and reference systems
- Vectors and operations with vectors
- Kinematics of point particles and motion in 1, 2 and 3D
- Forces, Newton's laws, inertial systems
- Dynamics of point particles and rotational motion
- Non-inertial reference frame and fictitious forces
- Work, energy, and forms of energy
- Conservative systems, conservative forces and conservation of mechanical energy
- Systems motion, center of mass, external forces and momentum
- Impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions
- Statics of rigid bodies
- Kinematics, moment of rigid bodies, rolling motion
- Rigid bodies dynamics,moment of inertia, angular momentum
- Work and energy in rigid bodies
- Oscillatory motions and harmonic oscillator, forced oscillations and resonance
- Notions of statics and dynamics in fluids
- Waves, stationary waves, wave interference, transported energy
Bibliography
- Gettys: Fisica 1, McGraw-Hill (main text)
(although the lecturer will follow the Italian edition edited by G. Vannini, foreign students may use the original English edition; content is practically the same)
- Halliday - Resnick: Fondamenti di fisica - Meccanica, onde, termodinamica (secondary text)
Teaching methods
The lectures will be based on the qualitative explanation of the treated physical phenomena followed by their analytical description in order to quantitatively and formally describe it (computer and blackboard will be both employed). In order to strengthen and clarify the main concepts of the lesson (1) brief exercises will be proposed, as well as (2) videos with focused experiments will be showed and discussed during the class. The additional material (e.g., slides, videos, supplementary exercises) will be shared with the students through the Elly platform.
Moreover, dedicated lessons for the resolution of more complicated exercises will be carried out with the help of an assistant.
Assessment methods and criteria
Two written tests will be carried out during the semester (to be collegially discussed with the students during the first lectures). The tests will take place roughly every four weeks and will focus on the corresponding part of the didactic program. Access to these partial tests is allowed to students of the first year, as well as to students from previous matriculation years only if they regularly attend the lectures.
Students who passed the two partial tests, or failed one of them, however maintaining an average mark of at least 15/30, will be automatically admitted to the oral exam. The mark obtained from the partial tests will be valid for the admission to the oral exam until the sessions of February 2024 (included).
Those students who failed the partial tests, as well as students from previous academic years, have to go through a general written test, with exercises on the entire program (five problems to be solved in three hours), and get at least 15/30 in order to be admitted to oral exam.
The final mark approximately accounts for 1/3 of the result of written test(s) and 2/3 of the result of oral exam.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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