00405 - Physics (A-K)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the fundamental concepts of applying the Scientific Method to the study of biomedical phenomena (choice and measurement of parameters, evaluation of errors, statistical analysis, mathematical model); - will be able to describe the physical phenomena of complex 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 to Physics.

Operational definition of physical quantity and its dimensions. Systems of units and fundamental constants, dimensional equations. Vectors and elements of vector algebra. Fundamentals of measurement methodology and error theory. Infinitesimal and finite sizes.

Mechanics.

Principles of mechanics: kinematic description of motion. Point material kinematics: uniform and uniformly accelerated motion, harmonic motion, uniform circular motion, relative motion.

The three principles of dynamics; inertial and non inertial systems. Principle of conservation of momentum;

Fundamental equation for solving the dynamics problem.

Concept of force field and its description; various types of forces; example of gravitational, electric (and magnetic) forces; elastic forces

Applications of the equation of motion in some particular cases of biomedical interest.

Definition of work and energy; the problem of calculating work, fields of conservative forces, potential energy, conservation of mechanical energy and of total energy.

Angular momentum and moment of forces; law of universal gravitation (Note on the motion of the planets).

Cardinal equations of statics; application to muscle levers. Elastic and viscous forces.

Static and dynamic balance.



Fluid mechanics.

Description and elementary properties of fluids; density pressure etc.

Equilibrium in fluids, laws of Archimedes, Pascal, Stevino. Torricelli's experience.

Equation of continuity. Flow rate of a duct. Torricelli theorem

Classification of fluid motion.

Bernoulli's theorem, consequences and applications.

Real fluids, viscosity, Poiseuille's law; viscous resistance.

Flow of viscous fluids in laminar and turbulent conditions.

Hydrodynamic circuits: vessel resistance, measurement of the pressure and speed of a fluid in a duct.

Fundamentals of hemodynamics

Surface tension; capillarity, pulmonary alveoli and surfactants; gas embolism.

Waves, oscillations and acoustics.

Harmonic Oscillator: free, damped, forced oscillations and resonance.

Representation of wave motion, propagation, superposition principle, speed and energy of a wave, transversal and longitudinal waves, stationary waves, interference diffraction beats.

Sounds and their subjective characteristics (pitch, intensity, timbre); Fourier theorem, definition of Decibel; ultrasound and Doppler effect (note on ultrasound)

Thermodynamics.

Definition of state and thermodynamic system work in thermodynamics, the first principle and internal energy. Thermodynamic transformations, changes of state and phase transitions.

Specific heats and latent heats. outline of the kinetic theory of gases;

Transformations at constant pressure: Enthalpy.

The second law of thermodynamics: Entropy and its statistical significance.

Thermodynamic potentials.

Osmotic work and osmotic equilibria, outline of Themodynamics and Biology (enthalpy functions, free energy and applications to metabolism)

Optics.

Main laws of geometrical optics: reflection, refraction, dispersion.

Mirrors and lenses, formula of conjugate points.

Optical instruments and microscopes: (compound optical, phase contrast, electron microscope).

Physical optics: interference, diffraction, wave nature of light and electronic optics.

Electric and magnetic phenomena.

Electrostatics, Coulomb's law. Gauss's theorem for the electric field.

Potential energy and electric potential, electrical work.

Properties of the electrostatic field: charge distributions. Potential energy of a charge distribution.

The conductors; induction; the condenser. The dielectrics; the dipole; polarization, a field generated by a polarized dielectric.

Charges in motion: definition of current intensity and density.

Simple electrical circuits and Ohm's laws.

Circuits with only resistors; circuits with single mesh resistors and capacitors: energy balance.

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 induction law (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. Interaction electromagnetic radiation and matter.

Radioactivity and hints of modern physics.

Modern physics: notes on relativity; introduction to quantum physics: black body; 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; outline of radioisotopes and medicine

X-rays: nature, generation and interaction with matter; outline of medical applications (radiology). Notes on: TAC, LASER, PET, NMR.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

ELEMENTI DI FISICA IN MEDICINA E BIOLOGIA G. Castellani - D. RemondiniEd. Bononia University Press nuova edizione
Borsa F., Scannicchio, D., Fisica con applicazioni in biologia e in medicina, EDISES Napol

Fondamenti di fisicadi Raymond A. Serway EDISES editore

Teaching methods

Lezioni frontali (lavagna e slides) ed esercitazioni svolte in classe e fornite agli studenti per esercitarsi a casa

Assessment methods

Prove scritta finale, composta da esercizi, domande a risposta multipla e domande aperte. Il voto sarà espresso sulla base delle risposte esatte e sarà poi convertito in trentesimi. La sufficienza è raggiunto con voto >=18 I voti >=30 devono essere convalidati tramite breve colloquio orale. Il colloquio orale è anche disponibile su richiesta, ma solo dopo avere superato lo scritto (>=18)

Teaching tools

Lezioni frontali
Esercitazioni
Slides in formato pdf delle lezioni

Office hours

See the website of Gastone Castellani