Mechanical Engineering

MARCO ROSSI
LIVIA ANGELONI

The course “Physics 1” is an introduction to the principle of Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics of Fluids, Oscillation and Thermodynamics, providing the fundamental knowledge pertaining to classical physics, from both a theoretical and an experimental perspective.
The course has been organized to fulfill the following learning objectives:
- introduction of the basic methodology of the scientific method and measurement;
- understanding of point particle classical mechanics;
- acquisition and comprehension of the laws and principles of dynamics and statics of rigid bodies;
- acquisition of the fundamental laws regulating the statics of fluids;
- understanding of oscillatory phenomena;
- understanding of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics.

The course is meant to introduce the basic methodologies of Experimental Physics, aiming at developing the ability to identify the essential aspects of the physical phenomena as well as the logical-critical abilities which will allow student to propose and/or verify the phenomenological models necessary to represent them.
At the end of the course, students should have acquired an adequate knowledge of the basics of point mechanics, point systems and rigid bodies, and have assimilated the fundamentals of classical thermodynamics. Students will also acquire a deep knowledge of conservation principles, force fields and their specific properties and elementary models of complex mechanical systems.
At the end of the course, the main abilities acquired by students (being able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired, accordingly with the Dublin Descriptor 2, and taking proper decisions about the methodological approaches to adopt, accordingly with the Dublin Descriptor 3) will result in the ability to model basic and complex physical phenomena, solve exercise and problems and develop simple demonstrations based on the extension and application of the acquired competences.

LEARNING OUTCOMES EXPECTED
At the end of the course, students are expected to have apprehended the theoretical and experimental foundations of Classical Physics and its fundamental laws. Moreover, they must have acquired the ability to apply the laws of Newtonian mechanics and classical thermodynamics to solve specific problems. An important expected result is related to the comprehension of the scientific method and the main research methods in Physical Sciences, as well as the ability to effectively discuss the subjects studied during the course.
Through the acquisition of the learning objectives identified above, students will be able to effectively interpret and describe the problems related to the course’s core disciplines.
The learning outcomes can be summarized as follows:
Knowledge and comprehension: acquisition of the theoretical and experimental bases of mechanics and thermodynamics; critical understanding of their laws; introduction to the scientific method and to the nature and research methods in Physics.
Practical application of the acquired knowledge: ability to identify the essential elements that constitute a phenomenon, in terms of order of magnitude and approximation level required; ability to apply laws and theories to concrete situations and solve related problems.

At the end of the course, it is expected that the student will have learned the theoretical and experimental fundamentals of Classical Physics and its fundamental laws, acquiring the ability to apply the laws of Newtonian mechanics and classical thermodynamics to solve specific problems. An important expected outcome is the understanding of the scientific method, the nature, and the methods of research in Physics, in addition to the ability to present the topics covered during the course.

Achieving the identified educational objectives will provide students with the necessary tools to interpret and describe problems of interest in the core disciplines. The expected learning outcomes can be summarized as follows:

- Knowledge and understanding:
Acquisition of the theoretical and experimental foundations of mechanics and thermodynamics; critical understanding of their laws; introduction to the understanding of the scientific method, the nature, and the methods of research in Physics.

- Practical application of the acquired knowledge:
Ability to identify the essential elements of a phenomenon, in terms of order of magnitude and the necessary level of approximation; ability to apply laws and theories to concrete situations by solving problems.

In order to successfully complete the module “Physics I” and understand the themes discussed, a very good knowledge of basic mathematics (equations of different degrees, inequalities, equation systems), trigonometry, elementary geometry and analytical geometry (study of functions, etc.) is mandatory. Knowledge of vectors and operations between vectors is also required. For a deeper understanding of the first issues of kinematics discussed during the course, an awareness of the elementary techniques of integration and derivation is required. A comprehensive background of the mathematical techniques listed above, together with the ability to apply them effectively, is considered an indispensable prerequisite to successfully attend the course.
In order to take the physics I exam, you had to pass at least one of the examination related to math (SSD MAT/*)

Mechanics
Motion of a material point; position, velocity and acceleration vectors. Motion in two and three dimensions. Force and motion: Newton's laws. Uniform circular motion. Inertial and non­inertial reference frames. Impulse and momentum. Angular momentum and momentum of a force. Work and energy: Kinetic energy. Work done by a force. Power. Work and kinetic energy. Path Independence of conservative forces. Potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Weight. Constraint and reaction forces. Elastic forces. Harmonic oscillators, ideal pendulum. Friction. Damped oscillators. Gravitation and Kepler laws.
Dynamics of a system of particles: Centre of mass and Linear momentum. Laws of Dynamics for a system of particles. The linear momentum of a system of particles. Collision and impulse. Conservation of linear momentum. Momentum and kinetic energy in collisions. Elastic and inelastic collisions.
Rotational kinematic and dynamic: Rotational motion, angular rotation and acceleration. Rotational inertia, free rotational axis. Laws of dynamics for rotation. Work and rotational kinetic energy. Angular momentum and conservation of angular momentum. Precession motion. Gyroscope.

Thermodynamics
Temperature and heat: Temperature. The zeroth law of thermodynamics. Measuring temperature. Temperature scales. Thermodynamic transformations. Heat and work in a thermodynamic transformation. First principle. The absorption of heat by solids. Specific heats. Phase changes and conservation of energy. Heat Transfer Mechanisms. Introduction to the kinetic theory of gases. Ideal gases. Molar specific heat of an ideal gas. Second principle of thermodynamics. Carnot's cycle. Engines and refrigerators. Carnot’s theorem. Clausius integrals. Entropy.

Recommended texts for fundamental study in English (theory and exericises):
Fundamentals of Physics by David Halliday, Robert Resnick and Jearl Walker

In the teaching section of the website of the Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering (https://www.sbai.uniroma1.it/rossi-marco/fisica-i/2018-2019) are also available the texts with their solutions of the written examinations of previous years and other teaching materials.

In-depth texts in English:
The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard Feynman
Thermodynamics by Enrico Fermi
The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios

For additional recommended reference texts (in English), see also here:
https://fordham.libguides.com/c.php?g=279574&p=1863532

The course is mainly taught through frontal lectures. It consists of 90 hours of lectures including practical exercises (carried out by the co-teacher). The exercises are carried out with the aim to complete and deepen the topics covered by the reference professor in charge of the course. All the topics proposed in the course are also addressed from the point of view of their application through the resolution of practical exercises, in order to make the student sufficiently autonomous and able to master the subject.

Further information and details are available at:
https://www.sbai.uniroma1.it/rossi-marco/fisica-i/2018-2019

Despite not mandatory, attendance is strongly recommended.

The exam is aimed at assessing the knowledge of the themes listed in the official programme of the course, as well as the ability to apply the main theoretical approaches and methods studied during the course to a series of exercises. The exam is made up of a written part (P1 – mandatory), followed by an oral part (P2). During the written exam, students are not allowed to bring any kind of books ore notes in the classroom. The use of a non-programmable calculator will be permitted. The written exam is meant to assess the ability to solve both symbolic and numerical computations pertinent to the themes studied throughout the course.
The written part is articulated in 5 exercises plus 2 theoretical questions (optional). The level of difficulty of the exercises requested by the exam will not be higher than the level of the exercises performed during the course and the tutoring activities, as they will be structured similarly to the exercises and the examples of the textbooks indicated by the teacher. If answered correctly, the 2 optional questions – upon teacher’s proposal and in agreement with the student – may substitute the oral part in the calculation of the final grade.
It is recommended to take the oral part only if at least two exercises of the written part have been solved correctly. In any case, it is recommended not to take the oral exam in the following circumstances: if none of the two thermodynamics exercises is correct; if none of the mechanics exercises is correct.
The oral exam will be aimed at evaluating the knowledge of the theoretical aspects discussed during the course and will include the discussion of the exercises executed during the written part. The oral and written part must be both taken in the same session.
Evaluations of written and oral exams are expressed in thirties. The final grade (in thirties) is expressed by the weighted average of the grades obtained in P1 and P2, with weights approximately in ratio 1/2.
In conclusion, the articulation of the exam in two different parts (written, P1, and oral, P2) is meant to verify:
i) The ability to comprehend the problems discussed throughout the course;
ii) The ability to correctly apply the theoretical knowledge (Dublin Descriptor n.2);
iii) The ability to make appropriate judgements about applying possible alternative models (Dublin Descriptor n.3)
iv) The ability to communicate effectively and pertinently in writing (Dublin Descriptor n.4).

From the start of the written part to the 24:00 hours of the third day after the exam, students can decide to withdraw from the exam – without leaving any trace on their curricular transcript – by formally communicating their decision to the teacher (sending an email to marco.rossi@uniroma1.it).
For all those who won’t make an explicit request of withdrawal, the exam will be verbalized on the INFOSTUD system, even in case of negative result (corresponding to an evaluation of 17/30). In such case, the exam must be repeated.

Sample texts and examination questions are available at this link:
https://www.sbai.uniroma1.it/rossi-marco/fisica-i/2023-2024

• Settimane 1–2
  • Books: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD & KINEMATICS OF A MATERIAL POINT


• Settimane 3–7
  • Books: MECHANICS OF A MATERIAL POINT


• Settimane 8–10.5
  • Books: MECHANICS OF SYSTEMS OF PARTICLES, RIGID BODIES AND RELATED TOPICS


• Settimane 10.6–13
  • Books: THERMODYNAMICS