00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student has basic knowledge of the main physical phenomena, with particular attention to the applications to geological systems and processes. Specifically, the student is familiar with some aspects of the following branches of physics: mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and optics. The student knows the fundamental laws of classical physics and is able to solve problems in which these laws are applied.

Course contents

Description of a physical phenomenon. Units and dimensional equations. The International System. Scalar and vector quantities. Sum of vectors. Scalar product and cross product.

Unidimensional motion. Velocity and acceleration. Motion with constant acceleration. Motion in more dimensions. Trajectory. Uniform circular motion. Angular velocity. Centripetal acceleration.

Forces. Newton's laws of motion. Inertial reference systems. Weight
of a body. Friction. Work and energy. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy.

Systems of particles. Center of mass. Rigid systems. Momentum. Rotation. Angular momentum. Gravitation. Newton's law of gravitation. Gravitational potential energy.

Fluids. Density and pressure. Pascal's principle. Archimedes's
principle. Motion of fluids. Viscosity. Kinetic theory of gas. Temperature. Internal energy. Ideal gas. Laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic transformations.

Electric charges. Quantization of electric charge. Conductors and
insulators. Coulomb's law. Definition of electric field. Electric
dipole. Charge density.

Electric potential. Potential difference. Equipotential
surfaces.

Electric currents: definition and units. Current density. Electromotive force generators. Resistance. Electrical circuits. 

Magnetism. Effect of magnetic field on the motion of electric
charges. Lorentz's force. Magnetic field sources. Biot-Savart
law. Faraday's law. Induced electromotive force. Maxwell equations.

Waves. Electromagnetic waves. Fundamentals of optics.

Radioactivity.

Readings/Bibliography

The main reference textbook is:
D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker - Fondamenti di Fisica - Casa ed. Ambrosiana Milano (Volume unico oppure Volume 1 + Volume 2)

As an alternative, other books can be used by the student. For instance:
D.G. Giancoli - Fisica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
R.A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Principi di Fisica - EdiSES

A useful complement can be:
R. Chapman - Physics for Geologists - Taylor & Francis Group, Routledge US

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises.

Assessment methods

Written and oral.  The written assessment consists in solving problems similar to those solved during the course. To access the oral, a sufficient written assessment is required. The oral consists of two or three questions on topics presented during the course.

Teaching tools

Blackboard and projector.

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Nipoti

See the website of Gabriele Umbriaco