15968 - Physics and Mathematics

Learning outcomes

PHYSICS

The course introduces some base elements of classical mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, with the relative methodologies and applications in the fields of physiology, biology and chemistry.

MATHEMATICS

At the end of the course the student knows the technical mathematical tools and their use for the quantitative study of phenomena. The student is then able to set up and solve problems and to assimilate new concepts from the experience and previous knowledge

Course contents

PHYSICS

Measurement

Measurement of a physical quantity, unit of measurement, conversions, systems of units, significant figures, scientific notation, measuring instruments, experimental errors.

Vectors

Vectorial algebra, vectors and scalars, vectors representation.

Forces

Definition and properties, elastic force, normal force, friction, gravity.

Kinematics

Motion and reference system, rectilinear motion, uniform motion, average and instantaneous velocity, average and instantaneous acceleration, uniformly accelerated motion, circular motion.

Dynamics

First and second Newton’s law, mass and weight, centripetal force, universal gravity law.

Energy and Work

Kinetic energy, power, conservative and dissipative forces, potential energy, conservation of energy, the moment of a force, static equilibrium, the levers.

Fluid Mechanics

Density, pressure, fluids properties, buoyancy, fluid dynamics, continuity equation, Bernoulli’s theorem, Torricelli’s law, Poiseuille’s law, Reynolds number, diffusion, sedimentation, centrifugation, superficial tension, capillarity.

Thermodynamics

Temperature, law of gases, heat and work, thermal capacity and specific heat, the first principle of thermodynamics, real gases, change of phase, latent heat, propagation of heat.

 

MATHEMATICS

Elements of set theory.

Definition of set. Operations between sets. Set of real numbers

Functions

Concept of relation. Functions of a variable. Continuous functions.

Theory of limits.

Limits for functions. Asymptotes,

Derivatives.

Definition of incremental ratio. Derivative of a function. Properties of derivatives. Derivative rules.

Readings/Bibliography

PHYSICS

Principi di fisica - Ezio Ragozzino - Ed. EdiSES (Napoli)

Fisica - Desmond M. Burns, Simon G.G. MacDonald - Ed. Zanichelli (Bologna)

Electronic exercises book available from the web page: http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser

MATHEMATICS

The files with the lesson teaching material will be stored on the online platform for teaching support.

Teaching methods

The course will cover the topics of the program through classroom teaching, both for lectures and for exercises.

Assessment methods

PHYSICS

1 hour and 30 minutes written test made of 6 exercises concerning the course contents.

Three correct exercises (numerical result included) will be evaluated 6 points each, and are then sufficient to pass the written test; further correct exercises will score 4 points each.

Correct exercise pieces are accounted for as well.

MATHEMATICS

The exam is done through a final exam with a written test and eventually an oral examination, both with grades expressed in thirtieths.

The written test is passed with a grade between 18 and 30.

The student who fails the written examination must repeat the examination at the next session.

The student who passes the written test can choose to:

- Refuse the grade and take the examination at the next session;

- Accept the grade without the oral examination and in this case the test is passed with a grade corresponding to that of the only written test;

- Try to improve the grade of the written test with an oral examination, in the awareness that, according to the oral examination, the grade of the written test may increase or decrease.

N.B.: the final evaluation, which requires both exams to be passed, is given by the average of the two teaching unit grades.

Final grade = (Physics Grade)∙ 0.50 + (Mathematics Grade) ∙ 0.50

 

Teaching tools

PC and video projector.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Zaniboni

See the website of Claudio Caprara