28628 - General Physics T-B (A-K)

Learning outcomes

Development of basic concepts of General Physics (with particular emphasis on Electromagnetism and the Principles of Thermodynamics) expressed using the language of mathematical analysis, integral calculus, and vector calculus. Acquisition of the scientific and technical methodology needed to address physics problems in quantitative terms.

Course contents

Useful prerequisites. To follow the course successfully, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of mathematical analysis, elementary differential and integral calculus, vector algebra, trigonometry, systems of linear equations, units of measurement, and dimensional analysis.

 

 

Thermodynamics programme

Temperature and heat:
Thermal equilibrium and the zeroth law of thermodynamics. Temperature and thermometers, the ideal-gas thermometer, other temperature scales. Thermal expansion. Heat transfer.

Thermodynamic transformations:
Thermodynamic equilibrium, transformations, and equations of state. Ideal gas. Transformations and P–V diagrams. Specific heat, molar heat, latent heat. Thermodynamic work.

The first law of thermodynamics:
Adiabatic work, internal energy. Joule’s experiment on the mechanical equivalent of heat. The first law of thermodynamics. Perfect gases: internal energy.

Elements of the kinetic theory of gases:
Molecular model of a perfect gas: calculation of pressure. Microscopic interpretation of temperature. Equipartition of energy and degrees of freedom.

The second law of thermodynamics:
Reversibility and irreversibility. Heat engines and efficiency. The second law of thermodynamics. Reversibility, Carnot cycle, and Carnot’s theorem. Absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. Clausius theorem and the state function entropy. Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.

 

Electromagnetism programme

Electrostatics in vacuum:
Static electricity. Elementary charge, nucleus, atom. Insulators and conductors. Electrostatic induction. The electroscope. Coulomb’s law. The electric field generated by a point charge and by charge distributions. Field lines. Electric field and conductors. Motion of a charge in an electric field. Gauss’s law. Applications of Gauss’s law. Electrostatic potential energy and potential difference. Relation between electric potential and electric field. Potential generated by point charges and by a general charge distribution. Equipotential surfaces. Faraday cage. Electric discharges and lightning. The capacitor. Calculation of capacitance. Capacitors in series and in parallel.

Electric currents:
The electric battery. Electric current. Ohm’s law. Resistance and resistors. Resistivity. Electric power. The domestic electrical network. Alternating current. Superconductivity. Electromotive force and terminal voltage. Resistors in series and in parallel. Kirchhoff’s laws. Electromotive forces in series and in parallel. Battery chargers. Circuits with resistors and capacitors, RC circuits.

Magnetism:
Magnets and magnetic fields. Electric currents produce magnetic fields. Force on an electric current in a magnetic field. Force on an electric charge moving in a magnetic field, Lorentz force.

Magnetic field generated by a straight current-carrying wire. Force between two current-carrying wires. Ampère’s law. Magnetic field generated by straight and toroidal solenoids. Biot–Savart law. Magnetic materials: ferromagnetism.

Induced electromotive force. Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s law. Electromotive force induced in a moving conductor. Electric generators. A time-varying magnetic flux generates an electric field.

Exercise sessions. The theoretical topics will be accompanied by numerical exercises and applied problems on thermodynamic transformations, cycles and heat engines, heat and entropy; electric field, potential and capacitors; direct-current circuits, Kirchhoff’s laws and RC circuits; Lorentz force, magnetic fields generated by currents, and electromagnetic induction.

Readings/Bibliography

Reference textbooks for exam preparation.

For the Thermodynamics part, one of the following:

Douglas C. Giancoli, Fisica 1, second edition, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2010;

or David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica – Meccanica, Onde, Termodinamica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana / Zanichelli.

For the Electromagnetism part, one of the following:

Douglas C. Giancoli, Fisica 2, second edition, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2010;

or David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, Fondamenti di Fisica – Elettromagnetismo, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana / Zanichelli.

The teaching material uploaded to Virtuale, including exercises, sample exams, and further bibliographic indications, is an integral part of the study support material.

Teaching methods

The course consists of in-person lectures, integrated with exercise sessions and guided discussion of problems. The theoretical lectures introduce the fundamental concepts and physical laws of thermodynamics and electromagnetism, with particular attention to their mathematical formulation and to the physical interpretation of the results.

During the lectures, the blackboard, slides, simulations, or demonstration videos of experiments may be used.

No laboratory activities involving specific risks are planned.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a compulsory written test lasting 120 minutes. The written test includes open theoretical questions and 3 numerical exercises, usually one on thermodynamics, one on electricity/circuits, and one on magnetism or electromagnetic induction.

The theoretical questions assess knowledge of the fundamental concepts, the ability to state and discuss physical laws, and the correct use of scientific language. The exercises assess the ability to formulate a physical problem, choose the appropriate laws, carry out the required mathematical steps, correctly use units of measurement and orders of magnitude, and interpret the result obtained.

The written test is graded out of 30. The exam paper indicates the score assigned to each question or exercise. The test is passed with a mark equal to or higher than 18/30.

Students who obtain a mark equal to or higher than 23/30 in the written test may choose to take an optional oral examination on a date following the written exam session. The oral examination aims to verify and further assess the understanding of the course topics, the ability to connect different concepts, and the mastery of the physical-mathematical language. If taken, the oral examination contributes to the final mark and may confirm, increase, or decrease the mark obtained in the written test.

Only the most recent mark obtained in the written test for Fisica T-B is considered valid. A student who has already obtained a mark equal to or higher than 18/30 in a previous written test may choose to retake the written test in a later exam session; in this case, the new mark obtained, even if insufficient, will replace the previous one.

No midterm tests or assignments to be submitted before the exam are planned, unless otherwise communicated on Virtuale. Registration for the exam must be completed through AlmaEsami by the required deadlines.

During the written test, the use of a non-programmable scientific calculator is allowed. The use of books, notes, formula sheets, electronic devices connected to the internet, smartphones, smartwatches, or similar devices is not allowed.

With regard to assessment, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence is prohibited. Any use of it constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with specific learning disorders, or temporary or permanent disabilities, are invited to contact the relevant University office in good time. The office will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must in any case be submitted, at least 15 days in advance, for approval by the lecturer, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Final mark grading criteria:

18–22: Preparation limited to a very restricted number of topics covered in the course; ability to solve exercises only approximately; sufficiently correct use of language.

23–25: Preparation on a limited number of topics; ability to solve exercises only for some parts of the programme; overall correct use of language.

26–29: Good preparation on a broad range of topics covered in the course; ability to solve exercises in a generally satisfactory way; mastery of the specific terminology.

30–30L: Thorough and complete preparation on all topics of the course; ability to solve exercises accurately and effectively; full mastery of the disciplinary language; argumentative, critical, self-reflective, and autonomous thinking skills, also when faced with new problems.

Teaching tools

Il materiale didattico a supporto del corso sarà reso disponibile su Virtuale. Potrà includere diapositive, tracce di esercizi, soluzioni o svolgimenti commentati, esempi di prove d’esame, eventuali simulazioni o video dimostrativi, e indicazioni per lo studio individuale.

Virtuale sarà utilizzato anche per comunicazioni relative al corso, materiali aggiuntivi, eventuali correzioni o aggiornamenti.

L’uso di strumenti di Intelligenza Artificiale generativa può essere utile come supporto allo studio individuale, per esempio per riformulare appunti, generare domande di autovalutazione o chiarire passaggi matematici; resta responsabilità dello studente o della studentessa verificarne la correttezza. L’uso dell’IA non è invece consentito durante le prove d’esame.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Miglio