27533 - Physics 1

Course contents

Mechanics

- Introduction and vectors

Units. Physical quantities. Vectors and vector algebra.
- Kinematics and dynamics

Motion along a straight line. Motion in two or three dimensions. Characteristics of force. Fundamental forces. Newton’s laws of motion.
- Work and energy

Work. Kinetic energy. Conservative forces. Potential energy and energy conservation. Non conservative forces.
- Momentum and collisions
Momentum and impulse. Collisions.
- Rotational motion
Rotation of rigid bodies. Kinematics of rotational motion. Moment of inertia. Rotational enenergy. Torque. Angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum. Rigid body rotation about a fixed axis. Rolling without slipping.
- Periodic motion
Simple harmonic motion: equations and period.
- Gravitation

Newton’s law of gravitation.
- Fluid Mechanics

Density and pressure. Pressure, depth and Stevino’s law. Archimede’s principle. Fluid dynamics: continuity equation, Bernoulli’s equation.

Thermodynamics

Temperature and thermal equilibrium. Thermometers and temperature scales. Quantity of heat. Calorimetry and phase changes.

Thermodynamic systems. Work. Internal energy. The first law of thermodynamics. Ideal gas equation. Heat capacities of an ideal gas. Adiabatic processes for an ideal gas.

The second law of thermodynamics: heat engines and refrigerators. The Carnot cycle. Entropy.

Readings/Bibliography

• J. Walker, Halliday - Resnick "FONDAMENTI DI FISICA", vol 1. Meccanica, Onde, Termodinamica", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures, structured in theoretical parts, examples and exercises.

Assessment methods

The acquired knowledge is assessed by both a written and a (compulsory) oral exam. Written examination to be passed before the oral examination (>17/30).The oral examination must be passed within the same session as the written one. If needed, more trials may be done within this period. The last result is considered valid, no matter if better or worse of the previous one. The written exam consists in few problems and it typically lasts 90minutes. During the written exam the usage of a calculator is allowed. No personal notes or books are allowed. The mark obtained from Fisica 1 will be combined with the mark got  in Fisica 2 (Prof. Castro) to give the final mark for the General Physics course.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be given at the blackboard. Occasionally slides, drawings and short movies can be used to facilitate the understanding of some concepts. This means that attending the lectures is very useful, though it is not mandatory.

Office hours

See the website of Annarita Margiotta