Teaching code

4S00038

Teacher

Pasquina Marzola

Coordinator

Pasquina Marzola

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS

Period

Semester 2 dal Mar 6, 2023 al Jun 16, 2023.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide students with an introduction to the experimental method and the basics of classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Upon completion of the course: students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the laws of classical mechanics and thermodynamics; students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding skills to solve problems of mechanics and thermodynamics; students will have the capability to apply the fundamental concepts of classical mechanics and thermodynamics to the resolution of practical problems that they will meet during forthcoming studies; students will develop the skills required to continue the studies in an autonomous way in those disciplines pertaining to the graduation in Computer Science that require the application and knowledge of the laws of Physics;

Prerequisites and basic notions

High school level Math. It is desirable that the students have acquired the math notions of the Analysis I course.

Program

1- Physics and measurement. Standards of lenght, mass and time. Dimensional analysis, Conversion of units. Vector and scalar quantities. Components of a vector and unit vectors. Properties of vectors. The scalar and vector products of two vectors.
2- Motion in one dimension. Position, velocity and speed. Particle under constant velocity. Acceleration. Motion diagrams. Particle under constant acceleration. Freely falling object. Motion in two dimensions. Position velocity and acceleration vectors. Two dimensional motion with constant acceleration. Projectile motion. Particle in uniform circular motion. Tangential and radial acceleration. Relative velocity and relative acceleration.
3- The Laws of Motion: The concept of force. Newton’s first law and inertial frames. Mass. Newton’s second law. The gravitational and electrostatic forces. The gravitational force and weight. Newton’s third law. Forces of friction. Newton’s second law for a particle under uniform circular motion. Non uniform circular motion. Motion in accelerated frames. Motion in the presence of resistive forces.
4- Energy and work. Work done by a constant force. Work done by a varying force. Kinetic energy and the work-kinetic energy theorem. Potential energy. Conservative and non conservative forces. Relationship between conservative forces and potential energy. Energy diagrams and equilibrium of a system. Conservation of energy for a non isolated system and for an isolated system. Situations involving kinetic friction. Changes in mechanical energy for non conservative forces. Power.
5- Linear momentum and collisions. Linear momentum and its conservation. Collisions in one dimension. Collisions in two dimensions. The center of mass. Systems of many particles. Rocket propulsion.
6- Rotation of a rigid object about a fixed axis. Angular position, velocity and acceleration. Rigid object under constant angular acceleration. Angular and translational quantities. Rotational kinetic energy. Moments of Inertia. Torque. Rigid object under a net torque. Energy consideration in rotational motion. Angular momentum. Angular momentum for a rigid object. Angular momentum for an isolated system.
7- Newton’s law of universal gravitation. Free-fall acceleration and the gravitational force. Kepler’s laws and the motion of planets. The gravitational field. Gravitational potential energy.
8- Fluid Mechanics. Pressure. Variation of pressure with depth. Pressure measurements. Archimede’s principle. Fluid dynamics. Bernoulli’s equation.
9- Oscillatory motion. Motion of an object attached to a spring. Particle in simple harmonic motion. Energy of the simple harmonic oscillator. Comparing simple harmonic motion with uniform circular motion. The pendulum. Damped and forced oscillations.
10- Thermodynamics. Temperature and the zeroth law of thermodynamics. Thermometers and the Celsius temperature scale. The constant-volume gas thermometer and the absolute temperature scale. Thermal expansion. Macroscopic description of an ideal gas. Heat and internal energy. Specific heat and calorimetry. Work and heat in thermodynamic processes. The first law of Thermodynamics. Heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics. Reversible and irreversible processes. The Carnot engine. Entropy.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course is carried out according to a traditional, frontal approach, with the aid of slides prepared by the teacher. Videos are also used with the aim of intuitively enunciating laws that are formally too complex for a student in the first year of a course, with the aim of showing practical applications of physical laws or to stimulate interest in recent developments in physics. Theoretical lessons are constantly accompanied by exercises that show practical applications and prepare for passing the final exam.

Learning assessment procedures

Written test consisting of exercises on the topics covered during the course and some multiple choice questions. The witten test can be followed by an oral exam (optional), which aims to acquire, if necessary, further elements for evaluation of students and eventually clarify aspects of the written test.

Evaluation criteria

There are no intermediate tests. The final exam will be a written test consisting of exercises on the topics covered during the course and some multiple choice questions. The witten test can be followed by an oral exam (optional), which aims to acquire, if necessary, further elements for evaluation of students and eventually clarify aspects of the written test.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final exam will consist in the solution of three simple problems each of which will contribute to the final grade with 10 points. Three multiple choice quizzes will also be proposed, each of which will contribute to the final grade with 1 point.

Exam language

Italiano