Dental School

GIULIO CARACCIOLO

The expected learning outcomes for the course in Medical Physics are a set of specific skills that students should acquire by the end of the course. These outcomes reflect the knowledge, abilities, and competencies that students should demonstrate in the discipline of Medical Physics.
1. Knowledge of the fundamentals of Physics: Students will be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, such as mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, and thermodynamics, and apply them to the understanding of physical phenomena in the medical context.
2. Critical analysis and problem-solving: Students will develop the ability to critically analyze situations and problems related to Medical Physics, identify appropriate solutions, and apply problem-solving methods.
3. Communication and presentation: Students will acquire effective communication skills and be able to present the concepts of Medical Physics clearly and coherently, both in written and oral form, using appropriate technical language.
These expected learning outcomes provide an overview of the key skills that students should acquire in the course of Medical Physics, enabling them to successfully apply physics in medical contexts and contribute to the field of health and well-being.

In order to understand the teaching content and to achieve the learning objectives, at the beginning of the didactic activities foreseen by the didactic module the student must possess the knowledge on:
Numerical structures; operations with natural, whole, rational, real;
inequalities and related calculation rules; properties of the powers.
Elementary algebra, equations and algebraic inequalities of first and second degree.
Elements of Euclidean geometry of the plane and of the space.
Elements of analytical geometry of the plane.
Elements of trigonometry.
Real functions of real variable; elementary functions: powers, polynomials, roots, exponentials, logarithms; basic trigonometric functions.

Introduction to Physics Methods
Interpret basic elements of mathematics and physics (graphs and formulas). Solve vector operations; perform unit conversions:
• Scientific notation.
• Physical quantities, dimensions, and units of measurement; International System of Units (SI). Unit conversions and order-of-magnitude estimation. Extensive and intensive quantities.
• Scalar and vector quantities.
• Equations with variables representing physical quantities.
• Elementary trigonometric functions; graphs; concept of derivative and integral.
• Vectors: definition, components, operations (examples: sum, difference, dot product, and cross product).

Mechanics
Describe and interpret elements of mechanics. Solve problems and numerical exercises in mechanics:
• Kinematics of a particle: definition of position and displacement over time. Concept of trajectory and equation of motion. Distinction between average and instantaneous velocity, between average and instantaneous acceleration. Study of rectilinear and curvilinear motions with significant examples: uniform rectilinear motion, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall, projectile motion. Qualitative description of uniform circular motion and the concept of centripetal acceleration. Introduction to harmonic motion, useful for understanding simple periodic phenomena.
• Dynamics of a particle: analysis of interactions between bodies and formulation of Newton’s three laws of motion. Physical meaning of the principle of inertia and conditions for static equilibrium (first law). Relationship between net force and acceleration (second law). Action–reaction principle for interacting bodies (third law). Applications to translational equilibrium. Definition of force and main examples: weight force, gravitational force, contact forces and friction (static and kinetic), tension, elastic forces, and Hooke’s law for ideal springs.
• Work and energy: concept of mechanical work as the effect of a force applied on a body. Work–energy theorem. Work and comparison between conservative and non-conservative forces. Definition of potential energy. Examples: gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. Mechanical energy as the sum of kinetic and potential energy. Theorem of conservation of mechanical energy in ideal systems. Definition of power and its relation to work performed over time.
• Momentum: introduction to the concept of linear momentum and impulse. Relationship between impulse and change in momentum. Principle of conservation of momentum in isolated systems. Applications to one-dimensional collisions, distinguishing between elastic and inelastic collisions.
• Systems of bodies: definition of center of mass and description of its motion. Characteristics of a rigid body. Torque and conditions for rotational equilibrium. Moment of inertia as a measure of resistance to rotation. Angular momentum and its conservation in the absence of external torques. Applied examples: levers. Deformable bodies: introduction to the concepts of elasticity, stress and strain, generalized Hooke’s law, Young’s modulus, and breaking stress of materials.

Fluid Mechanics
Describe and interpret elements of fluid mechanics. Relate fluid dynamics principles to flows, resistances, and physiological pressures in biological systems. Solve problems and numerical exercises in fluid mechanics:
• States of matter: fundamental characteristics of fluids compared to solids. Definition of pressure and density, and their role in the static and dynamic behavior of fluids.
• Hydrostatics: Stevin’s law for pressure in liquids as a function of depth; Pascal’s principle for pressure transmission in incompressible fluids; Archimedes’ principle for buoyant force on immersed bodies. Analysis of buoyancy conditions. Instruments and methods for measuring pressure (Torricelli’s experiment, manometer).
• Fluids in motion (hydrodynamics): concept of flow and volume flow rate; distinction between steady and turbulent flow, with particular focus on laminar flow. Continuity equation and conservation of mass in ideal fluids. Bernoulli’s theorem and its interpretation in terms of conservation of mechanical energy. Torricelli’s theorem. Applications to physiological situations (stenosis and aneurysm).
• Real fluids and viscosity: analysis of laminar flow, parabolic velocity profile, concept of velocity gradient. Poiseuille’s law and hydraulic resistances in series and parallel.
• Surface phenomena: surface tension and its effects on small liquid volumes. Capillary phenomena and behavior of fluid interfaces, both flat and curved. Curvature pressure and its qualitative description via Laplace’s law, with reference to observable biological contexts (e.g., lungs or blood capillaries).

Mechanical Waves
Describe and interpret elements of mechanical waves. Relate wave phenomena to acoustics. Solve problems and numerical exercises in mechanical waves:
• Mechanical waves: introduction to the nature of mechanical waves as phenomena of energy propagation and disturbance through a material medium. Concept of the harmonic oscillator as a basic model of wave generation. Definition of frequency, period, angular frequency, and wavelength. Wave propagation speed and the relationship among wave parameters. Wave equation for simple harmonic waves. Description of the wave vector. Examples of one-dimensional waves: transverse waves on a string and longitudinal waves such as sound waves in fluids.
• Principles of superposition and interference: linear superposition of harmonic waves and formation of constructive and destructive interference. Standing waves: conditions of formation and physical significance.
• Energy carried by waves: concept of energy associated with a mechanical wave. Power carried by a wave in an elastic medium. Intensity of a wave as a measurable physical quantity, related to the energy transmitted per unit area and time.
• Acoustic waves: sound propagation in different materials, with special focus on the speed of sound in air and other media. Relationship between sound intensity and auditory perception. Definition of sound intensity level in decibels. Concept of auditory threshold and limits of human hearing.
• Doppler effect: qualitative description and interpretation of the apparent change in perceived frequency depending on relative motion between source and observer.

Thermodynamics
Describe and interpret elements of thermodynamics. Solve problems and numerical exercises in thermodynamics:
• Fundamental concepts: definition of system and surroundings. Thermodynamic variables (pressure, volume, temperature) and thermodynamic state. State functions. Temperature and its measurement scales. Characteristics of ideal gases, ideal gas law, universal gas constant. Real gases: concept of critical temperature and deviations from ideal behavior. Internal energy and microscopic interpretation based on the kinetic theory of gases.
• Heat and heat capacity: energy exchanges in the form of heat. Definition of heat capacity and specific heat, with reference to ideal gases. Phase change phenomena (melting, evaporation, condensation), latent heat. Calorimetry and experimental methods for measuring exchanged heat.
• Heat transfer mechanisms: thermal conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flux. Thermal emission, Wien’s law, and radiated power. Examples of heat transfer.
• First law of thermodynamics: definition and physical meaning. Internal energy, heat, and work. Application of the first law to thermodynamic transformations. Reversible and irreversible processes. Canonical transformations in ideal gases: isothermal, isochoric, isobaric, adiabatic, with qualitative comparison of behaviors.
• Second law of thermodynamics: fundamental statements and concept of irreversibility. Thermodynamic cycles: definition and operation. Heat engines, efficiency, Carnot cycle. Entropy as a state function, macroscopic implications, and statistical interpretation. Relationship between entropy change and the natural direction of thermodynamic processes.

Electricity and Magnetism
Describe and interpret elements of electricity and magnetism. Understand electric and magnetic phenomena. Solve problems and numerical exercises in electricity and magnetism:
• Electric charge and interactions: fundamental properties of electric charge, units of measurement, charge conservation. Interaction between point charges and Coulomb’s law. Definition of electric field and representation via field lines. Field generated by a point charge or a distribution of point charges. Motion of a charge in a uniform electric field.
• Gauss’s law: flux of the electric field through a closed surface. Applications to symmetric charge distributions: conducting sphere, uniformly charged plane, charged wire in electrostatic equilibrium.
• Electric potential and energy: potential energy associated with a charge distribution. Definition of electric potential and potential difference. Energy conservation for a charge moving in an electric field. Electric dipole and dipole moment.
• Conductors and dielectrics: electrostatic induction and polarization phenomena.
• Electric current: direct current, current intensity, electric generator, and applied potential difference. Conduction in ohmic conductors. Ohm’s laws, resistance, and resistivity of materials. Electrical power dissipated by Joule effect. Series and parallel resistor combinations.

R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises
D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli
J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson
A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli
D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises

The teacher delivers lectures with traditional methods with audiovisual aids and scheduling of lessons.

The student must attend 67% of the lessons

To pass the exam you need to achieve a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the course topics. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to expose them in a critical, logical, and consistent way.

Multiple-choice exercises

• Introduction to Physics Methods (01-02/09/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Mechanics (02-15/09/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Fluid Mechanics (16-24/09/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Mechanical Waves (24/09/2025-01/10/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Thermodynamics (01-14/10/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Electricity and Magnetism (14-30/10/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises 


• Electromagnetic Radiation (30/10/2025-05/11/2025)
  • Books: R. A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Fondamenti di fisica – Edises D. C. Giancoli - Fisica con fisica moderna - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana - Zanichelli J. S. Walker – Fondamenti di Fisica – Pearson A. Alessandrini - Fisica per le scienze della vita - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana – Zanichelli D. Scannicchio - Fisica Generale e Biomedica – Edises