27996 - General Physics T-1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a good knowledge of classical mechanics (kinematics and dynamics, including systems of particles and rigid bodies) as well as of thermodynamics. He/she is able to apply this knowledge to the solution of exercises and problems of mechanics and thermodynamics of intermediate to advanced level.

Course contents

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Science and knowledge. The meaning of measurements. Physical quantities. The experimental method. The construction of theories. Units of measurement and systems of units. Measurement errors.

VECTOR QUANTITIES

Vectors and scalars. Unit vectors. Addition, subtraction, and decomposition of vectors. Multiplication of vectors. Cartesian representation of vectors. Applied vectors. Moments of vectors. Vectors and physical laws.

THE MOTION OF BODIES FROM A KINEMATIC POINT OF VIEW

Space and time. Motion and reference frames. The concept of a material point and its motion representations. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration of a material point. Areal velocity and areal acceleration. The intrinsic components of acceleration. The direct and inverse problems of kinematics. Study of rectilinear motion. Simple and damped harmonic motion. Composition of harmonic motions. Definition of a rigid body. Translational, rotational, and roto-translational motions of a rigid body.

DYNAMICS

The search for the causes that generate the motion of bodies. Definition of force. Fundamental forces.

• Absence of forces and the principle of inertia. Inertia, inertial frames, and the first law of dynamics. Inertial mass.

• The second law of dynamics. Motion in non-inertial frames and inertial forces. Dynamics of a material point: linear momentum and angular momentum; central motions; the simple pendulum.

• Study of the motion of systems of particles: the concept of interaction; the third law of dynamics in Newton’s formulation. Conservative formulation of the third law of dynamics. Fundamental interactions in nature.

• Gravitational interaction: Newton and the first unification of forces; gravitational mass and inertial mass. Motion of the planets. Overview of the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions and their unification.

• The cardinal equations of mechanics and the necessary and sufficient conditions to describe the motion of mechanical systems.

• Center of mass.

• Dynamics of rigid bodies. Moment of inertia. Huygens-Steiner theorem. Motion of a rigid body with a fixed axis. The physical pendulum.

• Work and energy: work done by a force on a material point. Power. The concept of energy. Relationship between work and motion. The work-energy theorem and kinetic energy of a material point. Gradient of a scalar field. Curl of a vector field. Flux of a vector field, Gauss’s theorem, and divergence. Irrotational fields and the potential of a field. Conservative force fields and potential energy. The law of conservation of mechanical energy. The potential of the gravitational force field.

• Work and energy for a system of particles. Expression of work for a rigid system of particles. Kinetic energy for systems of particles. Koenig’s theorem. Expression of kinetic energy for a rigid body. Potential energy for systems of particles. Energy conservation theorem for systems. Systems of material points under conservative and non-conservative forces: the principle of conservation of energy.

THERMODYNAMICS

Thermodynamic systems: thermodynamic coordinates; thermal equilibrium; zeroth law and temperature; ideal gas thermometer; thermodynamic transformations; equations of state for ideal and Van der Waals gases.

The first law of thermodynamics: thermodynamic work; heat, heat capacity, and specific heats; the first law of thermodynamics and internal energy; properties of ideal gases; brief notes on the kinetic theory of gases; adiabatic transformations.

The second law of thermodynamics: heat engines and the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law; refrigerators and the Clausius statement of the second law; equivalence of the two statements; reversible transformations and reversible engines; Carnot cycle, Carnot engine, and Carnot’s theorem; absolute thermodynamic temperature; Clausius inequality; entropy; statement of the second law in terms of entropy; entropy and probability; the arrow of time.

Readings/Bibliography

Main suggested textbook:

GIANNI VANNINI, Gettys-Fisica1, Meccanica-Termodinamica, Ed. McGraw-Hill.

Other suggested textbooks:

- S. FOCARDI, I.MASSA, A. UGUZZONI, Fisica Generale, Meccanica e Termodinamica , Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

- A. BERTIN, M. POLI, A. VITALE, Fondamenti di meccanica, Progetto Leonardo.

- SERWAY, Fisica per scienze e Ingegneria, SES.

- A. BETTINI, Meccanica e Termodinamica, Decibel - Zanichelli.

- P. VERONESI e E. FUSCHINI, Fondamenti di meccanica classica, Cooperativa Libraria Universitaria, Bologna.

- P.MAZZOLDI, M. NIGRO e C.VOCI, Fisica, SES.

- G. BERNARDINI, Fisica Sperimentale, Veschi.

- RESNICK, HALLIDAY e KRANE, Fisica, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.

- D.C. GIANCOLI, Fisica 1, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

The lectures are conducted mainly using chalk and blackboard or by projecting the instructor's writing sheet, and in the Italian language. Students who have difficulty with the language should contact the instructor to arrange a meeting.

Assessment methods

The procedures are described in a dedicated file that students can find in the course materials published on Virtuale.

Teaching tools

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities: We recommend contacting the University Office responsible for support services in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it):]). The office will evaluate the students' needs and, where appropriate, propose possible accommodations. These must in any case be submitted for approval at least 15 days in advance to the course instructor, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Baldi

See the website of Tommaso Diotalevi