PHYSICS

Course objectives

A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) To understand the main types of motion and the forces to which a body may be subjected OF 2) To understand the nature and properties of kinetic energy, potential energy, and work OF 3) To understand the nature and properties of collisions OF 4) To understand the nature and properties of ideal gases and the different thermodynamic transformations OF 5) To understand the relationship between electric charge, electric field, and magnetic field OF 6) To understand the main phenomena underlying electromagnetism OF 7) To understand the main optical phenomena B - Application skills OF 8) To be able to deduce, from the physical nature of forces, the motion and the work of all components of the forces acting on a single body OF 9) To be able to deduce, from the properties of an ideal gas, the type of thermodynamic transformation and the mechanical work done on the system OF 10) To be able to deduce, from the properties of the electric field, the potential energy and electric potential of the studied configuration OF 11) To be able to deduce, from the properties of the magnetic field, all electromagnetic characteristics of the system OF 12) To be able to solve problems in mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism C - Autonomy of judgment OF 13) To be able to evaluate the nature of the forces acting on a material point OF 14) To be able to assess the thermodynamic conditions of a system OF 15) To be able to evaluate every electromagnetic aspect of the system under study OF 16) To be able to suggest the most appropriate optical investigation techniques for the type of system D - Communication skills OF 17) To be able to communicate the nature of physical processes to personnel without scientific training OF 18) To be able to describe the physical techniques to be used for a complete investigation of the system under study E - Ability to learn OF 19) To have the ability to consult scientific literature and technical physical methods OF 20) To have the ability to evaluate technical descriptions of specific physical processes

Channel 1
IRENE DI PALMA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. Standard of length, mass, and time. Dimensional analysis. Conversion of units. Scientific notation. Averaging, errors and uncertainty. Vector and scalar quantities. Adding and subtracting vectors. Scalar and vector products. 2. Position, distance, and displacement. Average and instantaneous velocity. Average and instantaneous acceleration. Kinematic equations. Relative velocity. The concept of force. Newton's laws of motion. The gravitational force and weight. Fictitious forces. Normal forces. Forces of friction. Elastic force. Circular motion. Simple harmonic motion. 3. Work done by a force. Kinetic energy. Work-kinetic energy theorem. Power. Conservative forces. Potential energy. Rotational kinetic energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Linear momentum and impulse. Elastic and inelastic collisions. Law of conservation of linear momentum. The center of mass. 4. Kinetic theory of gases. Temperature and heat. Thermal expansion. Temperature scales. The mechanical equivalent of heat. Specific heat. Thermal conduction, convection, and radiation. Equation of state for an ideal gas. The first law of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic processes. Specific heat of an ideal gas. The second law of thermodynamics. Heat engines. Entropy. 5. Electric charges. Coulomb's law. The electric field. Gauss's law. Electric potential and potential energy. Electrical conductor. Capacitance and dielectrics. Electric current. Resistance and Ohm's law. Energy and power in electrical devices. Resistors in series and parallel. Capacitors in series and parallel. 6. The magnetic field. Lorentz's force. Magnetic torque. Ampere's law. Solenoid. Magnetism in matter. Motional electromagnetic force. Magnetic flux. Faraday's law of induction. Lenz's law. Mechanical work and electrical energy. Alternating current. Electrical impedance. 7. Wave motion. Sound waves. The Doppler effect. Superposition and interference. Standing waves. Production and propagation of electromagnetic waves. Fizeau experiment. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves. Energy carried by electromagnetic waves. Polarization. 8. Reflection. Images formed by flat and spherical mirrors. Mirror equation. Refraction. Lenses. Lens makers' equation. Dispersion. Physical optics. Interference. Young's double-slit experiment. Diffraction. Resolution.
Prerequisites
Good command of the Italian language. University level knowledge of Mathematics; logarithms and exponentials, powers, percentages, functions and their graphic representation, trigonometric, derivative and integral.
Books
•James S. Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica sesta edizione, Pearson •Serway - Principi di fisica, V ed., Edises • Ageno–Elementi di Fisica, Boringhieri Bollati
Frequency
Frontal teaching
Exam mode
The evaluation of the course is determined through two main elements: 1. problem solving of specific exercises – 50% 2. knowledge of the topics of the course – 50% Some of the elements to consider are: the way the student is able to solve the exercises, the correctness of the procedure that she/he will follow, the adequate solution for the question and the proper language in use. Key competences are necessary and sufficient to get a mark of 18/30. To obtain a mark of 30/30 with laude, the student must demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the topics of the course and be able to connect them in a coherent way.
Lesson mode
The lectures are interspersed with exercises in which students are faced with problems or exercises to solve; each student, through brainstorming, is free to express his or her own opinion idea. Each idea is appropriately analyzed with the teacher to reach the solution of the exercise. In this way, given the text of a problem, it is possible to define it and identify its specifications and correctly apply the tools studied. The course is divided into three macro areas: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism. At the end of each of them optional exercises are assigned to the students, on Friday for Monday next, to be delivered to the teacher on a voluntary basis. This allows the teacher to be aware of the progress of students' knowledge, and allows students to accrue a total bonus of 2 points to be added to the average final grade.
  • Lesson code1011790
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • Coursecorso|33594
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDFIS/01
  • CFU9
  • Subject areaFormazione scientifica di base