00405 - Physics

Academic Year 2023/2024

  • Docente: Claudia Sala
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: FIS/07
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 5905)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student:

- knows the fundamental concepts of application of the Scientific Method to the study of biomedical phenomena (choice and measurement of parameters, evaluation of errors, statistical analysis, mathematical model);

- is able to describe the physical phenomena of biological systems using the appropriate mathematical tools and quantitatively evaluating the various processes;

- will know the scientific basis of medical procedures and the operating principles of the instruments used in diagnostic and therapeutic practice

Course contents

Introduction

Physical size and its dimensions. Systems of units of measurement and fundamental constants, dimensional equations. Vectors and elements of vector algebra.

Mechanics

Kinematics of the meterial point: uniform and uniformly accelerated motion, harmonic motion, uniform circular motion and their combinations in several dimensions. Principles of dynamics. Range of forces and its description: gravitational, electric and magnetic forces, elastic force and friction. Examples and applications in the biomedical field. Definition of work and energy; fields of conservative forces, potential energy, conservation of mechanical energy and total energy. Moments: application to the muscular levers Static: static and dynamic balance.

Fluid mechanics

Description and properties of fluids; pressure density etc. Balance in fluids, laws of Archimedes, Pascal, Stevino. Torricelli's experience. Equation of continuity. Flow rate of a duct. Torricelli's theorem Bernoulli's theorem, consequences and applications. Real fluids, viscosity, Poiseuille's law; viscous resistance. Motion of viscous fluids in laminar and turbulent conditions. Hydrodynamic circuits: vessel resistance, measurement of the pressure and velocity of a fluid in a duct. Basics of hemodynamics. Surface tension; capillarity, pulmonary alveoli and surfactants, gas embolism.

Wave phenomena

Harmonic oscillator: free, damped, forced oscillations and resonance. Representation of wave motion: propagation, superposition principle. Speed and energy of a wave, stationary waves. Wave phenomena: interference and diffraction. Acoustics: sounds and their characteristics (height, intensity, timbre). Fourier theorem, definition of Decibel; ultrasound and Doppler effect (ultrasound applications)

Thermodynamics

Definition of state and thermodynamic system. First principle: work, heat and internal energy. Thermodynamic transformations, state changes and phase transitions. Specific heats and latent heats. Outline of the kinetic theory of gases; Constant pressure transformations: Enthalpy. The second law of thermodynamics: Entropy and its statistical significance. Thermodynamic potentials. Osmotic work and osmotic equilibria, mention of Temodynamics and Biology (enthalpy functions, free energy and applications to metabolism)

Optics

Main laws of geometric optics: reflection, dispersion refraction. Mirrors and lenses, conjugate points formula. Outline of optical instruments and microscopes. Physical optics: interference, diffraction, wave nature of light and electronic optics.

Electrical and magnetic phenomena

Electrostatics: Coulomb's law. electrostatic field properties: charge distributions. Potential energy of a charge distribution, Gauss theorem. Potential energy and electric potential, electrical work. Conducting means: induction, capacitor. Dielectric means: dipoles and polarization. Loads in motion: current intensity and density. Simple electrical circuits and Ohm's laws. Circuits with resistors only; circuits with resistors and capacitors. Thermal effect of the current. Bioelectric potentials. The magnetic field: properties of the magnetic field, magnetic force and Lorentz force. Magnetic field flux and electromagnetic induction. Applications of the law of induction (in particular transformer and alternator-electric motor). Outline of Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic Spectrum, its properties and classification of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation and matter interaction.

Radioactivity and modern physics

Modern physics: introduction to quantum physics. Photon concept; photoelectric effect; Compton effect; discrete spectra and energy levels (Bohr atom). Wave-particle dualism, De Broglie equation, probabilistic interpretation of the wave function, uncertainty principle. Structure and properties of the atomic nucleus. Radioactivity, radioactive decay; mention of radioisotopes and medicine. X-rays: nature, generation and interaction with matter; mention of medical applications (radiology). Notes on: TAC, LASER, PET, NMR.

Readings/Bibliography

D.C. GIANCOLI - FISICA: Con Fisica Moderna - Terza Edizione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

D. HALLIDAY, R. RESNICK, J. WALKER - Fondamenti di Fisica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

G. CASTELLANI, D. REMONDINI - Elementi di Fisica in Medicina e Biologia - Bononia University Press 2014

F. BORSA, D. SCANNICCHIO - Fisica con applicazioni in biologia e in medicina - EDISES Napoli

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises.

Assessment methods

The written test (40 minutes) will be composed of 5 exercises and 10 theoretical (multiple choice) questions. Each exercise will weight 3 points if answered correctly. Each theoretical question will weight 1,5 points if answered correctly. If the final score is at least 18, the test is passed.

A final score of at least 18 allows to access to the oral test. The oral test is optional but necessary for the laude and it has to be performed during the same session as the written test.

If the oral test is performed, the final grade will be the average of the grades obtained during the written and oral exam.

The use of calculators is allowed during the written tests (their use is actually recommended), while smartphones, smartwatch, pc, tablets or other electronic devices are not allowed.

Teaching tools

Frontal lessons

Exercises

Slides in pdf format

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Sala

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.