74231 - BIOFISICA

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will understand the fundamentals of mechanics, thermology, electromagnetism, wave phenomena, and modern physics. They will learn how to apply mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic phenomena to biological phenomena.

Course contents

Here is the English translation of the syllabus you provided:

Introduction to Physics

Operational definition of physical quantities and their dimensions. Systems of units of measurement and fundamental constants. Dimensional equations. Vectors and elements of vector algebra. Introduction to measurement methodology and error theory. Infinitesimal and finite quantities.

Mechanics

Principles of mechanics and dynamics.
Concept of force fields and their description; various types of forces.

Applications of the equation of motion to specific cases of biomedical interest.

Definition of work and energy.
Fundamental equations of statics; applications to muscular levers. Elastic and viscous forces.

Static and dynamic equilibrium.

Fluid Mechanics

Description and basic properties of fluids: density, pressure, etc.

Equilibrium in fluids, Archimedes’ law, Pascal’s law, Stevin’s law. Torricelli’s experiment.

Continuity equation. Flow rate in a conduit. Torricelli’s theorem.

Classification of fluid motion.

Bernoulli’s theorem, its consequences and applications.

Real fluids, viscosity, Poiseuille’s law; viscous resistance.

Flow of viscous fluids in laminar and turbulent regimes.

Hydrodynamic circuits: vessel resistance, measurement of pressure and fluid velocity in a conduit.

Introduction to hemodynamics.

Surface tension; capillarity, pulmonary alveoli and surfactants; gas embolism.

Waves, Oscillations, and Acoustics

Harmonic oscillator: free, damped, forced oscillations and resonance.

Representation of wave motion, propagation, superposition principle, wave speed and energy, transverse and longitudinal waves, standing waves, interference, diffraction, and beats.

Sound and its subjective characteristics (pitch, intensity, timbre); Fourier’s theorem, definition of decibel; ultrasound and Doppler effect (introduction to ultrasound imaging).

Thermodynamics of Biological Systems

(No detailed content provided, but implies application of thermodynamics to living systems.)

Optics

Main laws of geometrical optics: reflection, refraction, dispersion.

Mirrors and lenses, conjugate points formula.

Optical instruments and microscopes: compound microscope, phase contrast microscope, introduction to electron microscope.

Physical optics: interference, diffraction, wave nature of light and electron optics.

Electric and Magnetic Phenomena

Electrostatics, Coulomb’s law. Gauss’s theorem for the electric field.

Electric potential energy and electric potential, electric work.

Properties of the electrostatic field: charge distributions. Potential energy of a charge distribution.

Conductors; induction; capacitors. Dielectrics; dipoles; polarization, field generated by a polarized dielectric.

Moving charges: definition of current intensity and current density.

Simple electrical circuits and Ohm’s laws.

Circuits with only resistors; circuits with resistors and capacitors in a single loop: energy balance.

Thermal effect of electric current. Bioelectric potentials.

Magnetic field: properties, magnetic force and Lorentz force.

Magnetic field flux and electromagnetic induction.

Applications of induction law (particularly transformers and electric motors/generators). Introduction to Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic spectrum, its properties and classification of electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic radiation. Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter.

Radioactivity and Modern Physics

Modern physics: introduction to relativity; basics of quantum physics: black body radiation; concept of photon; photoelectric effect; Compton effect; discrete spectra and energy levels (Bohr model of the atom).

Wave-particle duality, De Broglie equation; probabilistic interpretation of the wave function, uncertainty principle.

Structure and properties of the atomic nucleus.

Radioactivity, radioactive decay; brief overview of radioisotopes and their use in medicine.

X-rays: nature, generation, and interaction with matter; introduction to medical applications (radiology). Introduction to CT, LASER, PET, MRI.

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Readings/Bibliography

ELEMENTI DI FISICA IN MEDICINA E BIOLOGIA G. Castellani - D. RemondiniEd. Bononia University Press nuova edizione
Borsa F., Scannicchio, D., Fisica con applicazioni in biologia e in medicina, EDISES Napol

Fondamenti di fisicadi Raymond A. Serway EDISES editore

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures (blackboard and slides) and exercises carried out in class and provided to students for practice at home

Assessment methods

Final written exam. The oral exam is also available upon request, but only after passing the written exam (>=18).

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.

Teaching tools

Handouts on the "Virtual" website

Office hours

See the website of Gastone Castellani