00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the basics of the scientific method, the concept of measure of a physical quantity and the associated uncertainty, the main ideas of Physics.

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. Jule effect. Electric cirucits with resistors in series and in parallel. Kirchofff's laws. Capacitors in RC circuits: transient phenomena.

-) The magnetic field. Lorentz's force. Electromagnetic induction.

-) Electromagnetic waves: properties, generation and detection. The photon concept.

 

Readings/Bibliography

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

2) Walker, "FONDAMENTI DI FISICA", Pearson

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

Teaching methods

Frontal theory lectures at the dashboard complemented by exercises

Assessment methods

Written examination, in which the student must solve some physics problems on the course main contents. Students that pass the written examination may also sustain an oral examination, in case they wish improve their final score.

Teaching tools

Selected physics problems (with solutions) in preparation to the written examination are available on AMS Campus

Office hours

See the website of Luca Pasquini