00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is expected to know the fundamental principles of point & rigid body Mechanics, fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, in order to describe and interpret the physical phenomena pertaining to agriculture and the agro-forestry sector.

Course contents

MEASUREMENT AND UNITS OF MEASURE: physical quantities, symbols and units of measure; measuring instruments, systems of units of measure: SI system, c.g.s. system, fundamental and derived units.

VECTORS: vectors and scalars; vector algebra: sum, product of a scalar and a vector, scalar product, vector product.

KINEMATICS: material point kinematics: position, displacement, mean and instantaneous velocity, mean and instantaneous acceleration; uniform rectilinear motion, uniform circular motion, uniformly accelerated motion.

DYNAMICS: concept of force; examples of forces: gravitational force, weight force, elastic force. Newton’s Laws. Centre of mass. First cardinal equation of dynamics. Second cardinal equation of dynamics in brief: case of a rigid body rotating about a fixed axis; moment of inertia (in brief). Cardinal equations of Statics. Friction. Mechanical work and potential energy; kinetic energy; conservation law for mechanical energy. Examples: work done by the gravitational force and by an elastic force.

FLUID MECHANICS: Eulerian and Lagrangian description (in brief). Density and pressure. Fluid Statics laws, pressure measurement, Pascal’s law, Archimedes’ law. Examples: hydraulic ram, floating bodies. Flow rate. Fluid Dynamics: continuity equation, Bernoulli’s equation.

THERMODYNAMICS: temperature and heat. The Laws of Thermodynamics. Heat capacity, specific heat. Examples of thermodynamic processes: adiabatic, isochoric, isobaric, isothermal, cyclic processes, free expansion. Entropy and its relevance; reversible and irreversible processes; the arrow of time. Ideal gas law. Machines Carnot’s cycle, efficiency; refrigeration cycle and its efficiency.

EXERCISES: after each unit, exercises at different degrees of difficulty will be solved in class.

Readings/Bibliography

• Lecture notes
• Mazzoldi P., Nigro M., Voci C., Elementi di Fisica - Meccanica e Termodinamica. EdiSES
• Halliday D., Resnick R., Walker J., Fondamenti di Fisica. Meccanica, Termologia. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
• further references will be discussed during the classes

Teaching methods

The course is divided into two parts:

• Theory classes: the main theoretical topics will be treated.
• Exercises: exercises will be solved in class to help the student familiarize with the theoretical aspects of the subject and to develop basic calculation and problem-solving skills.

 

Additional elective laboratory activities are planned. With regards to such activities, the following protocol holds: in consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of the activity requires the attendance and completion of Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] and the attendance of Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Information on dates and methods of attendance for Module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

Assessment methods

Written exam (duration 2 hours) plus optional oral exam.

Teaching tools

Laboratory tools and instruments will occasionally be brought in class.

Office hours

See the website of Mirko Maraldi

See the website of Sergio Lo Meo