39159 - Biomedical Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to: describe natural phenomena by correctly applying the Scientific Method; analyze instrumental procedures, evaluation of errors and formulations in mathematical terms; know the fields of physics inherent in the specific profession, mainly bio-mechanics , with recall of reference laws and description of operating conditions of biological interest. At the end of the course, the student can correctly deal with the description of elementary physical phenomena, rigorously applying the Scientific Method.

Course contents

1 DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICS: the scientific method.

1.1 Physical Quantities and Physical Laws.

1.2 Fundamental and derived units of measurement. International System

1.3 Measurement Errors.

1.4 Scalar and vector Physical Quantities.

2 KINEMATICS: the motion of bodies.

2.1 Displacement, velocity acceleration

2.2 Uniform rectilinear motion

2.3 Uniformly accelerated motion

2.4 Circular motion

3 DYNAMICS: forces

3.1 Laws of dynamics

3.2 Forces: vector representation, composition and decomposition

3.3 Momentum and the impulse theorem

3.4 Gravitational force, constraining reactions, forces of inertia.

3.5 Rigid bodies

3.6 Equilibrium of levers.

3.7 Levers of the human body

4 WORK.

4.1 Kinetic energy and potential energy.

4.2 Conservation of mechanical energy.

4.3 Power

5 MATTER.

5.1 Solids

5.3 Types of stress

5.4 Stress-strain curves

5.5 Liquids

5.2.1 Pressure

5.2.2 Fludiostatics

5.2.3 Fluid dynamics

5.2.4 Real liquids

7 RADIATION.

7.1 Electromagnetic waves

7.2 Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

7.3 X-rays: production and interaction with matter

7.4 Radiography and CT scans

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Readings/Bibliography

The lecturer makes the material used in lectures for the theoretical part and exercises available online.

Fundamental will be the use of a reference text, among several available in university libraries:

G. Castellani e D. Remondini

"Elementi di fisica in medicina e biologia"

Teaching methods

PowerPoint slide show, tutorials.

Assessment methods

Oral interview with the first question of the student's choice and one on another topic decided by the teacher

Teaching tools

Classroom lectures will be supplemented by the guided performance of exercises.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Testa