Lecturer: Ledo Stefanini  

Course name: Physics 1
Course code: 500301
Degree course: Ingegneria per l'Ambiente e il Territorio, Ingegneria Meccatronica
Disciplinary field of science: FIS/01
University credits: CFU 12
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

1. Technical and scientific basic language; 2. fundaments of calculus applied to natural events; 3. methods of classical mechanics; 4. methods of classical thermodynamics.

Course programme

Measurements

• Physical Quantities, Fundamental Units of Measurement and Derived Units
• Length, Time
• Systems of Measurement

Vectors

• Vectorial Quantities and Scalar Quantities
• Algebra of Vectors
• Vectorial Product and Scalar Product

Motion in One Dimension

• Velocity: Operational Definition
• Velocity: Mathematical Definition
• Acceleration: Operational Definition
• Acceleration: Mathematical Definition
• Uniform Motion
• One-Dimension Motion with Constant Acceleration.
• Freely Falling Objects
• Speedometers and Accelerometers

Two-Dimensional Motion

• Velocity and Acceleration in two Dimensions
• Decomposition of Motions
• Parabolic Paths
• Circular Motion
• Simple Harmonic Motion

Forces

• Operation Definition of Force
• Algebra of Forces
• Equilibrium Condition
• Momentum of a Force
• Canonical Laws of Statics
• Statical Friction
• Tensions in Cables
• Suspended Cables

The Laws of Motion

• Newton's First Law
• The Mass
• Newton's Second Law
• Newton's Third Law
• Forces of Friction

Work and Energy

• Work
• Kinetic Energy
• The Work- Kinetic Energy Theorem
• Potential Energy
• Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces

Momentum and Collisions

• Momentum and Impulse
• Conservation of Momentum
• Collisions
• Anelastic and Elastic Collisions
• Glancing Collisions

Rotational Dynamics

• Angular Speed and Angular Acceleration
• Constant Angular Acceleration
• Centripetal Acceleration
• Forces Causing Centripetal Acceleration
• Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation
• Kepler’s Laws

Rotational Equilibrium and Rotational Dynamics

• Torque
• Torque and Equilibrium
• The Centre of Gravity
• Relation Between Torque and Angular Acceleration
• Rotational Kinetic Energy
• Angular Momentum

Solids and Fluids

• Deformation of Solids
• Density and Pressare
• Variation of Pressure with Depth
• Pressure Measurements
• Archimedes Principle
• Fluids in motion
• Bernoulli Principle
• Viscosity
• Brown Motion

Temperature

• Operative definition of temperature
• Thermometers and Temperature Scales
• The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
• Macroscopic Description of an Ideal Gas
• Avogadro's Number and the Ideal Gas Law
• Temperature Scale of the Ideal Gas
• The Kinetic Theory of Gases
• Van der Waals's equation for the Real Gases

Heath

• Heath and Internal Energy
• Specific Heath
• Conservation of Energy
• Latent Heath and Phases Changes
• Heath Transfer by Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation

The Laws of Thermodynamics

• Work and Heath
• Internal Energy
• The First Law of Thermodynamics
• Heath Engines
• The Carnot Engine
• The Secon Law of Thermodynamics
• Reversible and irreversible Processes
• Entropy
• Statistical Interpretation of Entropy
• Entropy and the Second Law

Course entry requirements

1. Basic notions of numerical calculus; 2. methods of elementary algebra and plane trigonometry; 3. basic notions of plane and solid geometry; 4. knowledge of fundamental mechanical quantities.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 75
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 30
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Serway-Beichner. Fisica, Vol. I. Ed. EdiSES, Napoli.

Alliday- Resnick- Krane. Fisica, Vol. I . Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.

Testing and exams

There will be monthly written tests and a final interview. Students can request to be interviewed on small parts of the program throughout the duration of the course. Research projects and experiments performed by groups of students will be taken into consideration.