- Docente: Alessandra Fanfani
- Credits: 6
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Engineering Management (cod. 6679)
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from Sep 15, 2025 to Dec 19, 2025
Learning outcomes
Maturing the basic concepts of General Physics (with particular regard to particle mechanics) by the language of mathematical analysis, vector and integral calculus. To learn the scientifical-technical methodology which is necessary to face in quantitative terms the problems of General Physics
Course contents
- Introduction to the course: organization and exam
- Basic trigonometry, differential and integral calculus: definition of trigonometric functions, definition of derivative, geometric meaning of derivative, derivatives of some elementary functions. Integrals and geometric meaning of integral, integrals of some elementary functions.
- Introduction to Physics: the scientific method, experiments, laws, models. Physics quantities and measurement, the International System of units.
- Elements of Vector Algebra: Definition of scalar and vector. Operations between vectors and their properties: sum, difference between vectors, product between a vector and a scalar, scalar product, vector product. Definition of component. Cartesian representation.
- Kinematics of the point mass: displacement, velocity, and acceleration. The motion of the point mass in one dimension (rectilinear motion).The motion of the point mass in multiple dimensions. Tangential acceleration and centripetal acceleration. Examples of motion in two dimensions: parabolic motion and uniform circular motion.
- Dynamics of a material point causes that generate the motion of bodies. Definition of force. The fundamental laws of dynamics (Newton's laws of motion). Free body diagrams. Weight force, static friction and dynamic friction, elastic force.
- Work and energy Definition of work, power. The concept of energy. The work-energy theorem and kinetic energy for a material point. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Properties of conservative forces. Definition of potential energy. Calculation of potential energy for gravitational force and elastic force. Definition of mechanical energy. Law of conservation of mechanical energy.
- Periodic motion Simple harmonic motion: equations of motion and period.
- Gravitation: Kepler's laws. Newton's gravitational law. Gravitational potential energy; mechanical energy of planets and satellites; escape velocity.
- Momentum and collisions: momentum. Impulse of a force and impulse theorem. Definition of point-mass systems. Internal and external forces. Centre of mass. Center of mass motion. Momentum conservation for isolated systems. Collisions: Elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions.
- Rotational motion Definition of a rigid body. Kinematics of rotational motion. Relationships between linear and angular quantities. The moment of inertia. Examples of calculating the moment of inertia. The parallel axis theorem. Rotational energy. Definition of the moment of a force. Work in rotational motion and the theorem of kinetic energy. Angular momentum. Conservation of total momentum and total angular momentum. Cardinal equations of dynamics. Rotation of a rigid body around a fixed axis. Rotation of a rigid body around a moving axis: rolling. Equilibrium of rigid bodies (statics).
Readings/Bibliography
The textbooks listed below are recommended but not mandatory. The topics of the course are covered in all General Physics textbooks that include Mechanics (university-level textbooks that rely on differential and integral calculus). It is suggested to consult a reference textbook to complement the lecture notes.
Suggested textbooks:
- Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford "PRINCIPI DI FISICA, vol 1. Meccanica, Onde e Termodinamica", Pearson.
- G. Vannini, Gettys Fisica 1, Meccanica e termodinamica, Mc Graw Hill Education
- R.A. Serway, J.W. Jewett Jr, Fisica per Scienze e Ingegneria - Volume primo, Ed. EdiSES
- David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Kenneth Krane: Fisica 1 - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
All the recommended textbookss include exercises (in the printed version or in the electronic version). A set of supplementary exercises will be available on the course's Virtual site.
Teaching methods
The course consists of about 60 hours of class lectures (5 hours per week) supported by PC slides (combination of slides available in advance on Virtuale website and demonstrations/resolutions exercises carried out on the blackboard).
Exercises and problems sessions: There are 2-3 session of exercises to be carried out in the classroom, in order to stimulate interaction in small groups. Tutorial activity is foreseen with summary exercises on macro topics such as forces, dynamics and rotational motion.
Assessment methods
The final examination consists of a written exam (and a potential oral exam). Six exams slots are foreseen per academic year, distributed as follows:
- 3 slots in the winter session (December - February)
- 2 slots in the summer session (June - July)
- 1 slot in the autumn session (September)
No exams are foreseen outside the above slots.
The written exam is mandatory and it consists of problems and questions to verify the knowledge of the topics presented in the lectures and the acquisition of the methodology which is necessary to face general physics problems.
The written exam:
- it lasts 2 hours, takes place in person, and it is necessary to register through the Almaesami.unibo.it application (registration closes one week before the written test).
- it consists of a series of multiple-choice questions and problems (each correct answer corresponds to a positive score of +2.5, while each incorrect answer results in a negative score of -0.75) and a free-response problem, in which the resolution process will be evaluated. The free-response exercise will only be graded if the part with multiple-choice exercises are considered sufficient
- the use of a calculator and notes is allowed.
- the score in expressed in thirty points. The maximum score for the written exam is 30. The exam is considered passed with a score of 18/30 or higher. For students who obtain a score of 17/30, the exam is considered 'passed with reservation' and passing the exam is still subject to taking an oral exam.
The oral exam consists of a discussion with questions on the theoretical topics of the course and possibly the discussion on approach to problems, in order to assess the level of understanding of the subject. The indicative duration of this exam is 15-20 minutes.
The oral exam is:
- optional for written exam scores between 19 and 27 (inclusive)
- mandatory for written exam scores in the ranges of 17-18 and 28-30. The oral exam has to be within 6 months of passing the written exam. The registration through the Almaesami.unibo.it site is needed.
- scored in thirty points. During the oral exam, honors (laude) may be awarded to students who demonstrate an extremely deep knowledge of the subject and critical skills in analyzing problems.
Further details on the structure of the exam, the organization of the tests, and the assessment method will be provided in class and made available on the course's Virtual website.
Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University Office responsible in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance, and will be evaluated in light of the learning objectives of the course.
Teaching tools
The teaching material presented in the lesson is made available to the students via the Virtuale website, as well as auxiliary material such as supplementary exercises, etc.
To obtain the teaching materials, students need to subscribe to the Virtuale website with their Unibo credentials.
Office hours
See the website of Alessandra Fanfani
SDGs

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.