00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

The course aims to:

• provide the basic elements and concepts needed to describe physical quantities and the phenomena in which they are involved;
• instill and enhance the skills needed to apply this knowledge to fundamental applications in the fields of physiology, chemistry, biophysics, instrumental diagnostics, and therapy;
• educate students in independent judgment and the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to professional problem-solving.

Course contents

Introduction:
science and physical science. Measurements in physics. Fundamental units. International System (SI). CGS system. Dimensional equations. The measurement of a physical quantity. Difference between rounding and truncation.

Kinematics:
Introduction. Scalar and vector quantities. Vectors: sum and difference of vectors. Product of a vector and a scalar. Scalar and cross product. Vector decomposition. Motion in one dimension. Average and instantaneous velocity and acceleration. Uniformly accelerated motion. Falling bodies. Uniform circular motion. Centripetal acceleration. Composition of velocities. Simple two-dimensional motion.

Dynamics:
Introduction. Law of inertia. Mass. Forces. The laws of dynamics. Momentum. Conservation of momentum.

Force, work, energy:
Introduction. Work: definition and units. Conservative forces. Energy. Kinetic energy. Gravitational potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Frictional forces. Spring forces. Young's law. Simple harmonic motion. Spring potential energy. Energy of simple harmonic motion. Pendulum motion.

Gravity:
introduction, planetary motions, Kepler's laws, law of gravitation, gravitational potential energy.

Mechanics of points:
introduction, moment of inertia, torque, angular momentum, conservation of angular momentum, rotation of a rigid body, rotational kinetic energy

Fluids:
Introduction. Density, pressure; definitions and units. Archimedes' principle. Hydrostatic pressure. Ideal fluids. Bernoulli's theorem. Real fluids. Viscosity. Poiseuille's law. Diffusion. Sedimentation. Centrifuges. Liquids: surface tension. Capillarity.

Thermodynamics:
Introduction. Measurement of temperature. Measurement of heat. Ideal gas law. Kinetic theory of gases. Mechanical equivalent of a calorie. 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics. Entropy. Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation.

Electrostatics:
Introduction. Electrification of bodies. Electric charge. Coulomb's law. Electric field. Gauss's theorem. Electrostatic potential. Capacitance. Energy in an electrostatic field. Capacitors connected in series and in parallel.

Electrodynamics:
Electric current. Ohm's law. Resistance of a metallic conductor. Resistivity. Resistors connected in series and parallel. Power dissipated in an electric circuit.

Magnetism:
Magnetic effects of currents. Biot-Savart's Law. Lorentz force. Ampere's theorem. Electromagnetic induction: Faraday's and Lenz's laws. Self- and mutual induction. Inductance. Energy in a magnetostatic field. Displacement current.

Waves:
Introduction. Wave propagation. Propagation of a disturbance in a material medium. Speed of propagation. Sinusoidal waves: frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and phase of a wave. Longitudinal and transverse waves. Standing waves. Intensity of a wave. Sound waves. Electromagnetic waves. Spectrum of electromagnetic waves.

Ray Optics:
Introduction. Reflection. Refraction. Refractive index. Critical angle. Optical fibers. Plane mirrors. Lenses. Construction of the image of an object produced by a lens: geometric construction and analytical formulation. Linear magnification. The simple magnifying glass. Lens aberrations. The optical microscope.

Interference and diffraction:
introduction, Huygens' principle, Young double slit experiment. Diffraction from a single slit. Light polarization. Polarizers.

Modern physics:
introduction. Black body radiation. Plank's quantum theory. Photoelectric effect. The photon. Photon energy. Atomic physics: Thompson, Rutherford and Bohr models. Principles of quantum mechanics. De Broglie hypothesis. Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The electron microscope. Radioactivity. The law of radioactive decay. Radioisotopes and nuclear medicine.

Readings/Bibliography

The materials, available through the "Virtuale" teaching materials platform, and active participation in lessons are sufficient to pass the Physics exam.
Knowledge of the subject can be supplemented and deepened with the following textbooks:

• A. Lascialfari, F. Borsa, A.M. Gueli - Principi di Fisica per indirizzo biomedico e farmaceutico - EsiSES Università;
• Douglas C. Giancoli - Fisica, principi e applicazioni - Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises will enhance the understanding of the various concepts learned.

Tests will consolidate the skills and abilities acquired during the course, covering each chapter covered in the Physics course.

Multiple-choice self-assessment tests will be available online.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• knowledge of fundamental physical laws and those relevant to subsequent applications;
• ability to complete simple exercises leading to quantitative solutions (solution formula, numerical result with three significant digits, units of measurement).

Learning is assessed through a written and oral exam.

The written exam consists of 6 exercises, 3 relating to the first part of the course and 3 to the second, to be completed in 1.5 hours.

Up to 3 exercises completed correctly, including the numerical result, are worth 6 points; after the third correct exercise, each additional correct exercise is worth 4 points.

The written exam is therefore considered passed (equivalent to 18/30) with 3 out of 6 exercises completed correctly.

The written exam is valid for 6 months, after which it must be repeated.

The oral exam consists of questions on the topics covered in class and, if applicable, a discussion of the written exam.

Students with learning disabilities (DSA) or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will advise the students concerned of any accommodations, which must be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Classroom lectures with exercises and tests to consolidate skills.

Upon registration with institutional credentials, the following will be available:

• lecture slides;
• multiple-choice tests for self-assessment of acquired knowledge.

The website http://ishtar.unibo.it, dedicated to physics teaching, for generating exercises and enhancing knowledge of selected topics from the Physics course.

Office hours

See the website of Tiziano Rovelli