Dental School

DANIELA POZZI

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.

Teaching Unit 1. Introduction to Physics Methods
Interpret basic elements of mathematics and physics (graphs and formulas). Solve operations involving vectors; perform conversions between units of measurement:
• Scientific notation.
• Physical quantities, dimensions and units of measurement, International System of Units (SI). Conversion between units of measurement and estimation of orders of magnitude. Extensive and intensive quantities. Scalar and vector quantities.
• Elementary trigonometric functions.
• Vectors: definition, components, operations (examples: addition, subtraction, scalar product and vector product).

Teaching Unit 2. Mechanics
Describe and interpret elements of mechanics. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to mechanics:
• Kinematics of a point particle: definition of position and displacement over time. Concept of trajectory and equation of motion. Average velocity and instantaneous velocity, average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration. Study of rectilinear and curvilinear motion, with significant examples: uniform rectilinear motion, uniformly accelerated motion, free fall, projectile motion. Uniform circular motion and centripetal acceleration.
• Dynamics of a point 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 and reaction between interacting bodies (third law). Application to the concepts of translational equilibrium. Definition of force and main examples: weight force, gravitational force, contact forces and friction forces (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 to a body. Definition of power and its relationship with the work performed over a time interval. 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 energy and potential energy. Conservation theorem of mechanical energy in ideal systems.
• Momentum: introduction to the concepts of momentum and impulse. Principle of conservation of momentum in isolated systems.
• Systems of bodies: definition of center of mass and description of its motion. Characteristics of rigid bodies. Torque and conditions for rotational equilibrium. Levers in the human body.

Teaching Unit 3. Fluid Mechanics
Describe and interpret elements of fluid mechanics. Correlate the principles of fluid dynamics with physiological flows, resistances and pressures in biological systems. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to fluid mechanics:
• States of matter: fundamental characteristics of fluids compared with solids. Definition of pressure and density and their role in the static and dynamic behavior of fluids.
• Laws of 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 the buoyant force exerted by a fluid on an immersed body. Analysis of floating conditions. Instruments and methods for pressure measurement (Torricelli’s experiment, manometer).
• Fluids in motion (hydrodynamics): concepts of flow and flow rate, distinction between steady and turbulent flow, with particular attention to laminar flow. Continuity equation and conservation of mass in ideal fluids. Bernoulli’s theorem and applications to blood circulation (stenosis and aneurysm).
• Real fluids and viscosity: analysis of laminar motion, parabolic velocity profile, concept of velocity gradient. Poiseuille’s law and hydraulic resistances in series and in parallel.
• Surface phenomena: surface tension and its effects on small amounts of liquid. Capillarity phenomena and behavior of fluid interfaces, both flat and curved. Curvature pressure and its qualitative description through Laplace’s law.

Teaching Unit 4. Mechanical Waves
Describe and interpret elements of mechanical waves. Correlate wave phenomena in the acoustic field. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to mechanical waves:
• Mechanical waves: introduction to the nature of mechanical waves as phenomena involving the propagation of energy and disturbances through a material medium. Concept of the harmonic oscillator as a basic model for wave generation. Definition of frequency, period, angular frequency and wavelength. Wave propagation speed and relationship between wave parameters. Propagation equation for simple harmonic waves. Examples of one-dimensional waves: transverse waves on a string and longitudinal waves, such as sound waves in fluids.
• Principles of superposition and interference.
• Energy carried by waves: concept of energy associated with a mechanical wave. Power transmitted by a wave in an elastic medium. Wave intensity as a measurable physical quantity, related to the energy transported per unit area and unit time. Inverse-square law of distance.
• Acoustic waves: propagation of sound in different material media, with particular attention to the speed of sound. Relationship between sound intensity and sound perception. Definition of sound intensity level in decibels.
• Doppler effect: qualitative description.

Teaching Unit 5. Thermodynamics
Describe and interpret elements of thermodynamics. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to thermodynamics:
• Fundamental concepts: definition of system and surroundings. Thermodynamic variables (pressure, volume, temperature) and thermodynamic state. State functions. Temperature and temperature scales. Ideal gases and equation of state.
• Heat and heat capacity: energy exchanges in the form of heat. Definition of heat capacity and specific heat, with reference to ideal gases. Phase transition phenomena (melting, evaporation, condensation), latent heat. Calorimetry.
• Heat transfer mechanisms: thermal conduction, convection and radiation.
• First law of thermodynamics: definition and physical meaning. Internal energy, heat and work. Application of the first law to thermodynamic transformations. Reversible and irreversible transformations. Standard transformations in ideal gases: isothermal, isochoric, isobaric and adiabatic transformations, with qualitative comparison of their 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 variation and the natural direction of thermodynamic processes.

Teaching Unit 6. Electricity and Magnetism
Describe and interpret elements of electricity and magnetism. Understand electrical and magnetic phenomena. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to electricity and magnetism:
• Electric charge and interactions: fundamental properties of electric charge, units of measurement, conservation of charge. Interaction between point charges and Coulomb’s law. Definition of electric field and representation through field lines. Electric field generated by a point charge or by a distribution of multiple point charges. Motion of a charge in a uniform electric field.
• Electric energy and potential: potential energy associated with a distribution of charges. Definition of electric potential and potential difference. Conservation of energy for a moving charge in an electric field.
• Conductors and dielectrics (insulators): qualitative description of electrostatic induction and polarization phenomena.
• Electric current: direct current, current intensity, ideal electrical generator and applied potential difference. Conduction in ohmic conductors. Ohm’s laws, resistance and resistivity of materials. Electrical power dissipated by Joule heating. Combination of resistors in series and in parallel.
• Capacitance and capacitors: concept of electrical capacitance. Capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor, effect of the presence of a dielectric. Energy stored in a charged capacitor. Connections of capacitors in series and in parallel.
• Magnetic field: origin of the magnetic field from electric currents (Oersted’s experiment). Lorentz force acting on a moving charge and on a current-carrying wire. Circular motion of an electric charge in a uniform magnetic field.
• Electromagnetic induction: variation of magnetic flux and generation of electromotive force. Faraday–Neumann–Lenz law. Induced currents and their direction.

Teaching Unit 7. Radiation Physics
Describe and interpret radiation physics and understand its effects. Solve numerical problems and exercises related to radiation physics:
• Electromagnetic radiation: wave nature of electromagnetic waves as a combination of mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields; fundamental characteristics (wavelength, frequency, propagation speed, amplitude and wave intensity).
• Electromagnetic radiation spectrum: division of the spectrum into regions (radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, gamma rays), arranged according to increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength.
• Energy quantization: concept of the photon as a quantum of energy associated with radiation; relationship between photon energy and frequency.
• Absorption of electromagnetic radiation (Lambert–Beer law).
• Radioactivity and radioactive decay: definition of unstable nucleus, concept of radioactive isotopes. Activity and radioactive decay law, half-life. Main types of decay (alpha, beta, gamma) and associated nuclear transformations.
• Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation: distinction based on the energy carried by radiation compared with the ionization energy of atoms. Examples of non-ionizing radiation (radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation) and ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays).
• Optics: laws of reflection and refraction of light, concept of refractive index. Thin converging lens equation and image formation.

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 at least 67% of the hours scheduled for the course.

Written exam with exercises and oral. To pass the exam you need to achieve a grade of not less than 18/30.

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