27533 - Physics 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has mechanics and thermodynamics fundamental knowledge with their validity and application limits. In particular, he knows how to solve statics and dynamics, physics of fluids and thermodynamics simple problems.

Course contents

Introduction: introduction to mathematical tools; elements of vector calculus; physical quantities; units of measurement; direct and indirect measurements; errors and their propagation.

Kinematics: definition of position, velocity, and acceleration; equation of motion; uniform linear motion; uniformly accelerated motion; projectile motion; uniform circular motion.

Dynamics: definition of force; first, second, and third laws of dynamics; inertial reference frames; static and kinetic friction.

Energy: work, energy, power; kinetic and potential energy; conservative and non-conservative forces; laws of energy conservation.

Collisions: center of mass; momentum; conservation of momentum; elastic and inelastic collisions.

Rotational kinematics and dynamics: uniform circular motion; uniformly accelerated motion; rigid body; centripetal force; angular momentum and its conservation.

Gravitation (overview): Kepler's laws; Newton's law of universal gravitation; gravitational potential energy; escape velocity.

Oscillatory motion: harmonic motion; harmonic oscillator.

Fluids: fluid statics, density and pressure; Pascal’s principle; Archimedes’ principle; continuity equation; Bernoulli’s equation.

Thermodynamics: temperature, thermometer, and temperature scales; heat; thermal equilibrium; phase changes; internal energy; laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases; entropy.

Readings/Bibliography

All the material required for exam preparation will be made available on the virtual platform.

Recommended supplementary textbook:
David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, “Fondamenti di fisica - Meccanica, Onde, Termodinamica”, Casa editrice ambrosiana.

Alternatively, consulting any basic textbook on Mechanics and Thermodynamics is suitable for passing the exam.

Teaching methods

Lectures will be held in the classroom using the blackboard/tablet and supported by the use of slides. Topics will first be addressed from a theoretical perspective and then applied to practical examples through the solution of exercises carried out during class.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning in Physics 1 consists of a mandatory written exam and an optional oral exam.

The mandatory written exam will consist of three problems and two open-ended questions. Its aim is to assess both the knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and the ability to solve practical problems. The exam will last 120 minutes and will be considered passed with a minimum score of 18 out of 30.

As an alternative, students may take two in-term written tests ("parziali"). These will cover the first and second parts of the course content, respectively, and will each consist of two problems and two open-ended questions. Each midterm will last 90 minutes and will be held around the middle and end of the course. To pass the midterms, students must obtain a minimum score of 18/30 overall, with at least 8/15 on each individual test. Written exams (both midterms and final) will be valid for one year.

The score assigned to each problem and question will be clearly indicated in the exam paper. For example: Problem 1 (6 pts), Problem 2 (9 pts), Problem 3 (12 pts), Question 1 (2 pts), Question 2 (3 pts). Further details and examples will be provided during lectures and made available on the Virtuale platform.

During the written exams, students are allowed to use aids such as a calculator and a basic formula sheet provided by the instructor.

The optional oral exam will consist of a discussion of the written exam and additional theoretical questions covering the entire list of arguments. Access to the oral exam is granted only after passing the written exam. It should be understood as supplementary, and not necessarily aimed at improving the score obtained in the written exam.

Physics 1 is part of the "Fisica Corso Integrato (C.I.)", which also includes Physics 2. The final grade for the Integrated Physics Course will be recorded only after passing both Physics 1 and Physics 2, and will be calculated as the average of the two scores. It is recommended to pass the Physics 1 exam before taking the Physics 2 exam.

Teaching tools

The material presented during lectures will be made available on the Virtuale website. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended, as it serves to complement the content of the provided teaching material and the suggested textbook.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Cristina Pallanca