19704 - General Physics B

Learning outcomes

This course aims to give the students the knowledge of the basic concepts of the electromagnetism in empty space and the principles of thermodynamics, and how they can be expressed in mathematical form. The students have to reach knowledge of the scientific methods and of the natural laws so that they can solve problems in a quantitative form.

Course contents

Thermodynamics Program

Thermodynamic systems and their transformations. The zero principle of thermodinamics: temperature and thermometers. Thermodynamic transformations and phase transitions.

- The first law of thermodynamics
Thermodynamic work. Reversibile and irreversibile transformations. Real and ideal gases. Internal energy. The first law of thermodynamics. Heat. Thermal capacity. Transformations of ideal gases. Macroscopic coordinates. Heat and work conversions.

- The second law of thermodynamics.
Thermal engines. The Carnot cycle. Reversibility and Irreversibility. Clausius theorem. Kelvin theorem.

- Entropy.
Entropy and reversibility. Absolute thermodynamic temperature. Law of increasing entropy.

Electromagnetism Program

Coulomb's law. Electrostatic field.  Electrostatic potential and potential energy. Gauss law. Calculations of electrostatic fields with Gauss law. insulator and conducting media. Electrostatic capacities. Capacitors linked in series and in parallel. Electrostatic energy and density of energy. Basic notations of dielectric materials; dielectric constants. Current intensity and current density. Ohm's law: resistance and resistivity. Dissipative forces and Joule effect. Electromotive force generators. Resistors in series and in parallel.

Magnetic induction field. Lorentz's force Charged particle motion in magnetic fields. Magnetic field sources. Biot-Savart law. Ampere's law. Calculations of magnetic fields. Solenoids. Forces on parallel wires with current. Velocity selector and mass spectrometer. Classical Hall effect.
Induced electromagnetic forces and Faraday law. Lenz law. Electric fields produced by time-dependent magnetic fields. Electric current generators. Self inductance and inductors. Magnetic field energy. 
Maxwell equations and their consequences.

Readings/Bibliography

• Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford "PRINCIPI DI FISICA, vol 1. Meccanica, Onde e Termodinamica", Pearson.
• Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford "PRINCIPI DI FISICA, vol 2. Elettromagnetismo e Ottica", Pearson.

Teaching methods

Class lectures supported by PC slides. Exercises and problems sessions. Tutorial activity is foreseen.

Assessment methods

Written examination to be passed before the (compulsory) oral examination.
The oral examination must be passed within 6 months from the passed written one. If needed, more trials may be done within this period. The written exam consists in few problems and it typically lasts 90minutes. During the written exam the usage of a calculator and a formulary (provided by the professor) is allowed.The mark obtained following this examinations will be combined with the one of the General Physics A part to give the final mark for the General Physics course.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Fanfani