16726 - General Physics A

Learning outcomes

This course aims to give the students the knowledge of the basic concepts of scientific method, in particular the fundamental physics concepts derived from Classical Mechanics. The students have to reach knowledge of the scientific methods and of the natural laws so that they can solve simple problems in a quantitative form.

Course contents

- Introduction and vectors: Units. Physical quantities. Vectors and vector algebra.

- Kinematics and dynamics: Motion along a straight line. Motion in two or three dimensions. Characteristics of force. Fundamental forces. Newton’s laws of motion.

- Work and energy: Work. Kinetic energy. Conservative forces. Potential energy and energy conservation. Non conservative forces.

- Momentum and collisions: Momentum and impulse. Collisions.

- Rotational motion: Rotation of rigid bodies. Kinematics of rotational motion. Moment of inertia. Rotational enenergy. Torque. Angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum. Rigid body rotation about a fixed axis. Rolling without slipping.

- Solid: Equilibrium of rigid bodies. Elasticity and fracture of materials. Hooke's law. Stress and deformation: traction, compression, bending, shearing, torsion. Elasticity of biological tissues.

- Fluid Mechanics: Density and pressure. Pressure, depth and Stevino’s law. Archimede’s principle. Fluid dynamics: continuity equation, Bernoulli’s equation.

- Periodic motion: Simple harmonic motion: equations and period.

- Gravitation: Newton’s law of gravitation.

Readings/Bibliography

• Suggested book: Douglas C. Giancoli "Fisica 1 - Meccanica, termodinamica, onde (Vol. 1)", CEA Casa Editrice Ambrosiana; - Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford "PRINCIPI DI FISICA, vol 1. Meccanica, Onde e Termodinamica", Pearson.
  
• in general, the topics of the course are present in all the texts of general physics that contain the subjects of mechanics (texts of university level that make use of the integral calculus). For example, D. Halliday & R. Resnick "Physical 1 ", R. Serway "Principi di Fisica", and many others.

• For further exercises the electronic version eText of the book above (which contains summary exercises of the various chapters) is suggested.

• The text of written examination from previous years and their resolution are available on the course's Virtuale website.

Teaching methods

Class lectures 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 dynamics and rotational motion.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to verify the achievement of the learning objectives, namely, understanding the fundamentals of general physics and acquiring the scientific-technical methodology necessary to quantitatively address physics problems.

Learning is assessed through a mandatory written exam and an optional oral exam.


Written Exam
It is MANDATORY.
It takes place in person.
It consists of questions regarding the course theory and exercises/problems.
Registration via AlmaEsami is MANDATORY; it is the student's responsibility to cancel their registration before the exam date if they do not intend to take the test.
The written exam is graded on a scale of 30; a score of 18/30 or higher constitutes a pass.
If the instructor deems clarifications regarding the execution of the written exam necessary, the exam is considered "passed with reservation." In this case, passing the overall exam is contingent upon taking the oral exam (see below).
Students may choose to reject their exam grade. Rejecting the grade means retaking the written exam at a future session.
Details regarding the written exam content and grading criteria will be provided during class but will generally align with exams from previous years.

Oral Exam
Optional, unless the written exam was "passed with reservation," in which case the oral exam is mandatory.
It lasts approximately 20 minutes.
It covers the review of the written exam and the entire course syllabus.
The final grade may be higher or lower than the written exam grade, or result in a failure.
Registration for the oral exam is handled via AlmaEsami.
The order of appearance follows the AlmaEsami registration order. Swapping positions is permitted by mutual agreement between the students taking the exam. Depending on the number of students, the exams may span multiple days; in such cases, the schedule will be finalized once registration closes.

Final Grade

 General Physics is an integrated course that includes General Physics A and General Physics B; therefore, the final grade for the General Physics course will be recorded after passing both the General Physics A and General Physics B exams (as the average of the grades obtained, rounded up).

It is strongly recommended, but not mandatory, to take the General Physics A exam first.


Exam Sessions and Exam Dates
There will be six exam sessions per year, spread across three sessions:
- Summer session: June-July
- Fall session: September
- Winter session: January-February

Exam dates will be set based on the academic calendar and communicated to students in good time.


There are no exams scheduled in Itinerary during the year.


Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) well in advance. That office will propose any necessary accommodations to the students concerned; these proposals must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days beforehand, so that their appropriateness can be assessed in light of the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

The teaching material presented in the lesson is made available to the student via the Virtuale website. To obtain the teaching materials, you must access it with your student credentials at unibo.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Bonifazi