00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the laws of kinetmatics and classical dynamics, the meaning of work and energy, and the foundations of classical electromagnetism. 

The student is able to solve basic physics problems and to apply the acquired physics knowledge to sensors and devices relevant for modern information technology.

Course contents

-) International System of Units of Measure: Time, Mass, Length and Charge

-) Velocity and acceleration. Newton's laws of motion.

-) Work and energy. Potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Dissipation of energy by viscous forces. Equivalence between work and heat.

-) Electrostatics: Coulomb's law. Electric field and potential. Gauss' theorem. Motion of charges in electric fields. Electric capacitance.

-) Electric current and Ohm's law. Mobility and resistivity: conductors and insulators. Joule effect. Electric circuits with resistors in series and in parallel. Kirchofff's laws. Capacitors in RC circuits: transient phenomena.

-) The magnetic field. Lorentz's force. Sources of magnetic field. Electromagnetic induction.  Application of electromagnetic induction.

  

 

Readings/Bibliography

1) Giancoli, "FISICA", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Disponibile anche in due volumi, leggermente più approfonditi, "FISICA 1" e "FISICA 2"

2) Halliday, Resnick, Walker, "FONDAMENTI DI FISICA", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Disponibile anche in due volumi, "Meccanica-Onde-Termodinamica" e "Elettromagnetismo-Ottica"

3) Walker, "FONDAMENTI DI FISICA", Pearson

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures with combined use of projected slides, video, and calculations at the blackboard. Each lecture is complemented by application examples and exercises. Specific sessions will be devoted entirely to exercises in preparation of the exam.

Assessment methods

For the academic year 2019/20, the written examination consists in a quiz with 12 multiple choice questions (1 point each), and 12 calculated questions (2 points each), in which the student must solve short physics problems on the course main contents.

The written exam is passed with a grade >= 18 (the maximum being 36, given by the sum of the points in all questions). A grade >= 31 corresponds to 30 cum laude.

Students that pass the written examination can decide whether to confirm the obtained grade or to sustain an additional oral examination, consisting in theory-oriented questions.

Teaching tools

Available on Insegnamenti OnLine:

-) Slidesof all lectures

-) Lecture notes 

-)  Physics problems (with solutions) in preparation to the written examination

-) MATLAB scripts (solution of physical problems and simple simulations of physical systems)

-) Physics problems (with solutions) assigned in the previous exams

 

Office hours

See the website of Luca Pasquini