28628 - General Physics T-B (L-Z)

Academic Year 2020/2021

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Engineering Management (cod. 0925)

Learning outcomes

Maturing the basic concepts of General Physics (with particular regard to Electromagnetism and to the Principles of Thermodynamics) by the language of mathematical analysis, vector and integral calculus. Learning the scientifical-technical methodology which is necessary to face in quantitative terms the problems of physics.


Course contents

Thermodynamics program

Thermodynamics systems and their transformations .- The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics. Temperature and thermometers. Thermal expansion. Thermodynamical transformations. Equation of state for ideal gas.

The First Law of Thermodynamics .- Adiabatic work, internal energy. First law of thermodynamics and Heat. Enthalpy and related properties. Heat capacity, molar, specific and latent heat. Ideal gases: internal energy, Poisson's equations.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics.- Reversibility and irreversibility. Heat engines and their efficiency. The second law of thermodynamics. Carnot's cycle and theorem. Thermodynamic absolute scale of temperature. Clausius' theorem and entropy state function. The law of entroppy increase.

Electromagnetism program

Electricity.- Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, Gauss's law for the electric field. Gauss' and Stokes' theorems. Electric field effects on electric charges. Continuity equation for the electric current.

Magnetism .- Magnetic forces and their properties. First and second Laplace's laws. Gauss' law for the magneteic field.The Ampère-Maxwell law. The Faraday-Lenz law.

Electromagnetism.- The Maxwell's equations. Elements of electromagnetic waves. Energy features of the electromagnetic field. The Poynting vector.

Readings/Bibliography

S. Focardi, I. Massa, U. Uguzzoni, Fisica Generale, Termodinamica e Fluidi (II edizione), Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

S. Focardi, I. Massa, A. Uguzzoni, M. Villa, Fisica Generale, Meccanica e Termodinamica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

G. Vannini, Gettys Fisica 1, Meccanica e Termodinamica, V edizione, Casa Editrice Mc Graw Hill

S. Focardi, I. Massa, A. Uguzzoni, Fisica Generale Vol. 2: Eletromagnetismo, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

G. Cantatore, L. Vitale, Gettys Fisica 2, Elettromagnetismo e onde, IV edizione, Casa Editrice Mc Graw Hill

Teaching methods

Front lectures. Part of the lectures are dedicated to discussing and solving problems of Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism.

Assessment methods

The examination includes a written part (3 hours long) which is followed by an optional oral one.

The written examination is divided into two parts:

1) theoretical part: there are 4 open questions, 2 of Termodynamics and 2 of Electromagnetism.

In this way I want to verify the student's ability to organize a written composition that contains the explanation of a physical phenomenon or a natural law or physical properties that characterize a particular system under study, highlighting the importance and consequences, enriching treatments with examples;

2) exercises: there are 4 exercises, 2 of Termodynamics and 2 of Electromagnetism.

In this way you want to test the student's ability to solve problems within the themes addressed during the course and in particular the logical path followed to get the final result.

For both parties the vote is in thirtieth and final vote of the written examination is the average of the two parts.
During the written exam it is not allowed the use of books, notes and electronic devices such as laptop and tablet. However it is possible to use calculators.

Once the written exam is passed, with a minimum vote of 18/30, each student can decide whether to accept the mark or to stand the oral examination that has to be taken in the same session of the written examination.

Teaching tools

Laptop. Blackboard. Slides available on IOL.

Office hours

See the website of Gilda Scioli