00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

The scope of the course is to introduce the basic elements of classic and modern physics, insisting on related  methodologies and experimental applications of particular importance in the analytical-instrumental, physiological  and biological fields. During the lectures both the various levels of familiarity with Physics that students have in the   first year at University, and the connections with the following courses will be taken into account.

Course contents

Notions of statistics and calculs of probabilities. Distributions of probability. Test of statistical hypotheses. Measurement of physical quantities. Experimental errors. Significant figures. Systems of measurement units. Dimensions of physical quantities.  Velocity. Acceleration. Composition of movements. Vectors and vector calculus. Motion in the field of gravity. Centripetal and tangential acceleration. Newton's laws. Conservation of momentum and measurement of mass. The forces. Centripetal force. Inertial systems. Universal law of gravitation. Mass and weight. Angular momentum and torque. Conservation of the angular momentum. Center of mass. Work. Power. Kinetic and potential energy. Conservation of energy. Friction and heat. Elasticity of materials and Hooke's law. Density. Pressure. Fluidostatics. Dynamics of ideal and real fluids. Sedimentation and centrifugation. Diffusion. Surface tension. The ideal-gas law. Temperature. Kinetic theory. Heat transport.  Specific heats. I and II principle of thermodynamics. Electric charge. Coulomb's law. The electric field. Gauss' theorem. Electrostatic potential. Capacity. Electric current. Electrical resistance. Ohm's law. Theory of electrical circuits. Magnetic field. Lorentz's force. E.m. induction: Faraday's and Lenz's laws. Periodic motion. Harmonic motion. Simple pendulum. Wave motion. Superimposition of waves. Standing waves. Huygens' principle. Sound waves. Electromagnetic waves. Interference. Diffraction. Polarization. Geometrical optics. Reflection. Refraction. Total reflection. Dispersion. Optical instruments. Thin lenses. Mirrors. Magnifying glass. Microscope. Prism. Black body spectrum. Photons. Photoelectric effect. Wave particle duality. Diffraction of electrons. Uncertainty principle. The hydrogen atom. Quantum numbers. Atomic structure. X-rays.

Readings/Bibliography

- copies of the lectures
- elettronic exercize book available at the Web page: http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser
- D.C. Giancoli, Fisica, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana
- E. Ragozzino, Principi di Fisica, Ed. EdiSES, 2007
- Jewett & Serway, Principi di Fisica, EdiSES
- F.R. Cavallo e F.L. Navarria, Appunti di probabilità e statistica per un corso di Fisica, Ed. CLUEB, 2000
- D.M. Burns e S.G.G. MacDonald, Fisica per gli studenti di biologia e medicina, Ed. Zanichelli
- J.W. Kane, M.M. Sternheim, Fisica biomedica , Edizioni Mediche Scientifiche Internazionali

Teaching methods

lectures and samples of problems using the electronic exercize book

Assessment methods

partial written examinations valid, if sufficient, one year; written examination valid, if sufficient, three months; oral examination

Teaching tools

overhead projector, PC, videoprojector.
for the contents see the Web page
http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser

Links to further information

http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Luigi Navarria