Physics

ANTONIO DI DOMENICO
GIULIO D'AGOSTINI

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
The first objective of the class is the study of the theory of electrical circuits and most common electrical components. The second objective is to acquire the know-how of optimal use of basic electric measurements instrumentation: voltage and current generators, multimeter, oscilloscope.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) To know the theory of DC circuits
OF 2) To know the theory of AC circuits
OF 3) To know the theory of electrical measurements

B - Application skills
OF 4) To be able to solve simple problems with DC and AC circuits
OF 5) To be able to carry out measurements of voltage, current, resistance (multimeter)
OF 6) To be able to carry out measurements of time intervals, voltages and phases (oscilloscope)
OF 7) To be able to estimate and correct for the perturbation induced by the measurement system
C - Autonomy of judgment
OF 8) To be able to evaluate the best way of performing an electrical measurement

D - Communication skills
OF 9) To know how to communicate in written reports the results of the experimental work
OF 10) To know how to discuss the characteristics and functionalities of simple electrical circuits

E - Ability to learn
OF 11) Being able to consult the manuals of the measurement instruments
OF 12) Being able to understand the datasheets of electric components

a) Calculus, as acquired in the first two years of bachelor's degree.

Elements of circuits theory

Electrical current and voltage. Ohm's law. Joule's law. Hyoptheses in the definition of an electrical circuit. Kirchhoff laws. Power. Resistors. Short circuit and open circuit. Ideal generators. One-loop circuits - Voltage divider. Two junctions circuit - Current divider. Combining resistors. Equivalent resistance. Combining independent generators. Substitution principle. Junctions analysis (hints). Thevenin and Norton theorems. Methods to find the equivalent resistance. Real generators. Capacitors and Inductors. First order RC and RL circuits. Transient response and final response. Second order circuits, RLC. Review of periodic and complex functions. Sine-wave analysis. Symbolic method. Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws in the sine-wave case. Frequency response. Study of RC, RL and RLC circuit in the sine-wave case. Power in the sine-wave case. The solid-state diode: characteristics. Use of the diode as a passive non-linear element in limiter and rectifer circuits. Propagation of an electrical signal in a coaxial cable. The transmission line.Characteristic Impedance. Reflection coefficient. Attenuation. Square-wave propagation phenomenology.

Measurement Methods

Moving-coil instruments. Universal instrument and its use to measure currents, voltage, resistance. Shunt resistors. Perturbation introduced by measurement instruments on the observable. Wheatstone bridge. Use of digital multimeter. Measurements of electrical power. Use of the oscilloscope. Frequency and phase-shift measurements.

Laboratory measurements:

1) Resistive circuits in DC.
2) Use of the oscilloscope. First order RC and CR circuits.
3) Study of first order RC an CR with sine-waves.
4) Study of filters and resonance circuits with sine-waves.
5) Study of filters and resonance circuits with square waves.
6) Simple circuits with diodes.
7) Transmission line.

R. Perfetti, Circuiti elettrici, Zanichelli Ed.

Notes and other materials distributed during the course

For deeper study : Mencuccini, Silvestrini, Fisica II, Liguori Ed. or Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, Fisica Vol.II, Ed. Edises

Lectures in the classroom regarding the knowledge of the basic theory of electrical circuits.
Sessions in the laboratory to learn how to use basic equipment and to be able to realize simple electrical circuits and to study their behavior. The laboratory sessions take place in groups of two or three students. Only the last one is individual.

Attendance to the lectures is not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Attendance to laboratory classes is mandatory.

The examination consists of an interview on the most relevant topics presented in the course. To pass the exam, the student must be able to present and analyse in detail the operation of simple electrical circuits.

The student will be asked to apply the methods learned during the course, to exercises or to examples and situations similar to those that were discussed in the course.

The evaluation takes into account:
- Correctness and completeness of the concepts discussed by the student;
- clarity and rigor of presentation;
- analytical development of the theory;
- problem-solving skills (method and results).

The individual laboratory session (mandatory) and the optional written test are also taken into consideration in the final evaluation.