Mechanical Engineering

ALESSIO SARTI
DANIELE PASSERI

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.

Knowledge of the fundamental laws of classical mechanics and classical thermodynamics with reference to experimental observations.

Ability to analyze and quantitatively process physics problems of limited complexity.

To better understand the physical relations and the equations presented during the lessons and their role in the problem solving process, it is important that the student knows the basics of integral and differential calculus (integrals and differentiation of simple function like exponentials, logarithms, polynomials and roots) and of vectorial algebra.

MECHANICS

Kinematics of point-like objects. Motion description and equations: velocity, acceleration. Non linear planar motion. Dynamics principles for point-like objects. Inertial reference frames.
Force and acceleration. Non inertial reference systems and fictitious forces. Impulse and linear momentum Angular momentum and torque Work and energy. Kinetic energy theorem. Conservative force fields. Potential energy. Theorem of mechanical energy conservation. Power.
Force laws. Universal gravitation. Weight. Elastic force. Viscous dumping force. Heavy body motion with viscous dumping resistance.

Dumped oscillatory motion. Static and dynamic friction. Forced oscillations.
Systems of point particles. Centre of mass. Cardinal equations of dynamics of systems. Centre of mass motion. Kinetic energy and Koenig’s theorem. Rigid body. Equilibrium. Angular momentum and moment of inertia. Kinetic energy of a rigid body. Angular momentum around a fixed pole.
Rigid body around fixed axis. Theorem of Huygens-Steiner. Rolling. Central elastic collisions. Anelastic collisions.

Statics of fluids. Stevin’s law, Pascal’s principle, Archimede’s principle. Theorem of Bernoulli.
Waves in elastic media. Mathematic equation of elastic waves. Sinusoidal waves. Transverse waves. Stationary waves. Doppler effect.

THERMODYNAMICS

Temperature. Thermodynamic systems. States of thermodynamic equilibrium. Heat. Thermodynamic transformations. Status variables. Work in a thermodynamic transformation. Graphical representation of transformations and work. Thermal expansion.

First principle of thermodynamics. Mechanical equivalent of calorie. First principle applied to a solid body. First principle applied to an ideal gas. Clapeyron’s graph. Quasi–static transformations, work and reversibility. Internal energy of ideal gas. Specific heat capacity of ideal gas. Reversible adiabatic of an ideal gas. Real gases. Generic P,V,T systems. Thermal agitation and phase transitions. Heat transfer. Conduction, convection and radiation in steady state regime.

Second principle of thermodynamics. Statements of second principle. Carnot’s cycle. Theorem of Carnot. Clausius’ integral and entropy. Entropy and second principle of thermodynamics. Entropy of some notable thermodynamic systems. Entropy as status parameter. Microscopic interpretation of thermodynamics quantities: pressure, heat, temperature. Principle of energy equipartition. Molar heat capacity.

Physics (mechanics and thermodynamics ) Mencuccini Silvestrini. (Ambrosiana - Zanichelli)

Exercises:
1. Physics exercises, Mencuccini Silvestrini (Ambrosiana - Zanichelli)

The course is divided into 45 lessons of approximately two hours each in which the entire program of the course is dealt with. Starting from the kinematics of the material point, continuing with the dynamics of the point and the dynamics of systems, we get to discuss the motion of rigid bodies. Finally we deal with fluids and gases. Finally, the many-body problem from the point of view of thermodynamics is introduced. The concept of heat, ideal gases and thermal machines are introduced. Finally, the definition of the state function Entropy is addressed.

Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended and recommended in attendance. Students who do not follow or follow at a distance, over time have clearly shown greater difficulties in passing the exam.

The exam is devoted to evaluate the student knowledge of the fundamental laws of classical mechanics and classical thermodynamics with reference to the experimental observations. The student will have to demonstrate his own analysis and quantitative computing capacity in solving limited complexity Physics problems.
The first part of the exam consists in facing a written exam (5 exercises, to be performed in 2h 30 min) and for all those who pass an assessment of 14 out of 30 an oral exam is expected.

Study of the motion of the simple pendulum.
Study of the harmonic oscillator.
Kinetic energy theorem.
Momentum theorem.
Angular momentum theorem.
Calculation of the moment of inertia.
Center of mass reference system.
Statics and dynamics of fluids.
Kepler's laws.
First and second law of thermodynamics.
Kinetic theory of ideal gases.
Specific heat in a polytropic transformation.

• Single point kinematics


• Single point dynamics


• Systems of material points


• Rigid body 


• Statics of fluids


• Thermodynamics: thermometry 


• Thermodynamics: first principle


• Thermodynamics: second principle