28628 - General Physics T-B (A-K)

Learning outcomes

Development of basic concepts of General Physics (with particular emphasis on Electromagnetism and the Principles of Thermodynamics) expressed using the language of mathematical analysis, integral calculus, and vector calculus. Acquisition of the scientific and technical methodology needed to address physics problems in quantitative terms.

Course contents

Thermodynamics syllabus

Temperature and heat

Thermal equilibrium and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics. Temperature and thermometers; ideal-gas thermometer; other temperature scales. Thermal expansion. Heat transfer.

Thermodynamic processes

Thermodynamic equilibrium; processes and equations of state. Ideal gas. Processes and P–V diagram. Specific heat, molar heat, latent heat. Thermodynamic work.

The First Law of Thermodynamics

Adiabatic work, internal energy. Joule’s experiment on the mechanical equivalent of heat. First Law of Thermodynamics. Ideal gases: internal energy.

Elements of kinetic theory of gases

Molecular model of an ideal gas: calculation of pressure. Microscopic interpretation of temperature. Equipartition of energy and degrees of freedom.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Reversibility and irreversibility. Heat engines and efficiency. Second Law of Thermodynamics. Reversibility, Carnot cycle and Carnot’s theorem. Absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. Clausius theorem and the entropy state function. Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

 

Electromagnetism syllabus

Electrostatics in vacuum

Static electricity. Elementary charge, nucleus, atom. Insulators and conductors. Electrostatic induction. The electroscope. Coulomb’s law. Electric field generated by a point charge and by charge distributions. Field lines. Electric field and conductors. Motion of a charge in an electric field. Gauss’s law. Applications of Gauss’s law. Electrostatic potential energy and potential difference. Relation between potential and electric field. Potential generated by point charges and by an arbitrary charge distribution. Equipotential surfaces. Faraday cage. Electric discharge and lightning. Capacitor. Capacitance calculation. Capacitors in series and in parallel.

Electric currents

The electric battery. Electric current. Ohm’s law. Resistance and resistors. Resistivity. Electric power. The domestic electrical grid. Alternating current. Superconductivity. Electromotive force and the voltage between terminals. Resistors in series and in parallel. Kirchhoff’s laws. Electromotive force in series and in parallel. Battery charger. Circuits with resistor and capacitors (RC circuits).

Magnetism

Magnets and magnetic fields. Electric currents produce magnetic fields. Force on an electric current in a magnetic field. Force acting on a moving electric charge in a magnetic field (Lorentz force). Magnetic field generated by a straight current-carrying wire. Force between two current-carrying wires. Ampère’s law. Magnetic field generated by straight and toroidal solenoids. Biot–Savart law. Magnetic materials: ferromagnetism. Induced electromotive force. Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s law. Induced electromotive force in a moving conductor. Electric generators. A changing magnetic-field flux generates an electric field.

Readings/Bibliography

For the Thermodynamics part

• Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics 1, 2nd edition (Ambrosiana Publishing House, 2010)

• David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics (Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics), Ambrosiana Publishing House. Exclusive distribution: Zanichelli

For the Electromagnetism part

• Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics 2, 2nd edition (Ambrosiana Publishing House, 2010)

• David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics (Electromagnetism), Ambrosiana Publishing House. Exclusive distribution: Zanichelli

• G. Cantatore, L. Vitale, Gettys Physics 2: Electromagnetism and Waves, 4th edition, McGraw Hill Publishing House

Teaching methods

The course consists of in-person classroom lectures, organized into theoretical explanations, practical applications, and exercises. During the lectures, a traditional blackboard will be used, videos illustrating various experiments will be shown, and slides will be projected.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a compulsory written test lasting 120 minutes, with some open-ended theory questions and 3 numerical exercises (problems), typically one on thermodynamics and two on electromagnetism.

Students who obtain a mark greater than or equal to 23 in the written test may choose to take an additional oral exam on a date following the written exam session.

Only the most recent mark obtained in the TB written exam is considered valid. A student who has already obtained a mark ≥ 18 in a previous written test may choose to retake a later written test, but the new mark obtained (even if insufficient) will become their new written mark in TB.

Final grade scale

• 18–22: Preparation limited to a very small number of topics covered in the course; ability to solve exercises only approximately; sufficiently correct use of language.

• 23–25: Preparation on a limited number of topics; ability to solve exercises only for some parts of the syllabus; overall correct use of language.

• 26–29: Good preparation across a broad range of topics covered in the course; ability to solve exercises in a generally satisfactory way; command of specific terminology.

• 30–30L: Thorough and complete preparation on all course topics; ability to solve exercises accurately and effectively; full command of disciplinary language; argumentative, critical, self-reflective skills and independent thinking even when facing new problems.

Teaching tools

Additional teaching materials for exercises, in-depth study, and discussions will always be provided on the website: https://virtuale.unibo.it.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Miglio