27996 - General Physics T-1

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to provide to the students the bases which are fundamental for the understanding of the physics methods. General principles of mechanics and thermodynamics will be discussed.

Course contents

Introduction - The physics and the experimental method. Physics quantities, systems and states. Measurements units. Dimensional analysis. Short discussion of probability and error propagation.

Vector calculus - Scalar and vector quantities. Basic operations on vectors: sum, difference, scalar, vector and mixed products. Vector properties. Applied vectors. Moment of a vector with respect to a point or to an axis. Derivation of vectors.

Kinematics - Point particle motion: the one-dimensional problem. Particle position, average and instantaneous velocity, average and instantaneous acceleration. The equation of motion. The "inverse problem" of kinematics and the initial conditions of the motion. Short discussion on the calculus of the derivative and the integral of simple one-dimensional functions. Reference systems. Point particle motion: the three-dimensional problem. Position, velocity and acceleration described with vectors. Discussion of simple motions: linear, circular, armonic, etc. . Short discussion about the motion of point particle systems and of rigid bodies. Angular velocity. Relative motions, transformation of vectors with respect different reference systems: position, velocity and acceleration.

Dynamics - Force definition and its measurement in static conditions. The two principles of statics. Static friction force. The first and the second principles of of dynamics. Inertial mass. Inertial reference systems. Newton law of gravitation. Inertial forces. Definition of momentum of a body  and impulse. Isolated systems and the third principle of dynamics. Point particle systems dynamics. Total momentun and total angular momentum conservation. Elastic and inelastic collisions. The two fundamental equations of mechanics. Centre of mass and its properties. Rigid bodies dynamics, moment of inertia. Huygens-Steiner theorem.

Mechanical work and energy - Mechanical work of a single force and of a force system. Mechanical work and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy properties. Positional forces. Forces and potential energy. Scalar and vector fields. Gradient, divergence and curl. The principle of energy conservation. Equilibrium conditions. Point particle systems and rigid bodies kinetic energy. The Koenig theorem.

Thermodynamics - Thermodynamic system. Thermal and thermodynamic equilibrium. Zeroth law of thermodynamics. Temperature definition. Thermometer based on ideal gas properties. State variables. Quasistatic and reversible thermodynamic processes. Ideal gas and its equation of state. The first law of thermodynamics. Adiabatic work. Internal energy. Heat capacity and specific heat capacity. Poisson equation. Quasistatic processes of an ideal gas. Short discussion of the kinetic theory of ideal gases. The second law of thermodynamics. The equivalence of Kelvin and Carnot approaches. Irreversible processes. Heat reservoirs, cyclic processes and heat engines. The Carnot cycle. Efficiency of an heat engine and Carnot's theorem. Absolute temperature scale. The Clausius theorem. Definition of entropy. Entropy increasing, reversible and irreversible processes. The second law of thermodynamics and the entropy increasing.

 

Readings/Bibliography

A.Bertin, M. Poli, A. Vitale, Fondamenti di Meccanica, Esculapio Editore (Progetto Leonardo), Bologna.

A. Bertin, M. Poli, A. Vitale: Fondamenti di Termodinamica, Esculapio Editore  (Progetto Leonardo).

A. Bertin. S. De Castro, N. Semprini Cesari, A. Vitale, A. Zoccoli, Problemi d' esame di Fisica Generale, Esculapio Editore (Progetto Leonardo), Bologna.

Teaching methods

Part of the lessons is dedicated to the discussion of the fundamental principles and the laws of the physics, with particular emphasis on the experimental method. Wide space moreover is dedicated to the discussion of problems and the resolution of simple exercises of  kinematics, mechanics and thermodynamics.

Assessment methods

The examination is formed by an obligatory written part and by an optional oral part.

Teaching tools

The student is supposed to know the basic elements of trigonometry, elementary geometry and mathematical analysis (as the processes of derivation, integration and limit of functions).

Links to further information

http://www.bo.infn.it/~zoccoli/zoccoli.html

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Zoccoli