00405 - Physics

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student has basic knowledge of the main physical phenomena, with particular attention to the applications to geological systems and processes. Specifically, the student is familiar with some aspects of the following branches of physics: mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and optics. The student knows the fundamental laws of classical physics and is able to solve problems in which these laws are applied.

Course contents

Description of a physical phenomenon. Units and dimensional equations. The International System. Scalar and vector quantities. Sum of vectors. Scalar product and cross product.

Unidimensional motion. Velocity and acceleration. Motion with constant acceleration. Motion in more dimensions. Trajectory. Uniform circular motion. Angular velocity. Centripetal acceleration.

Forces. Newton's laws of motion. Inertial reference systems. Weight
of a body. Friction. Work and energy. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy.

Systems of particles. Center of mass. Rigid systems. Momentum. Rotation. Angular momentum. Gravitation. Newton's law of gravitation. Gravitational potential energy.

Fluids. Density and pressure. Pascal's principle. Archimedes's
principle. Motion of fluids. Viscosity. Kinetic theory of gas. Temperature. Internal energy. Ideal gas. Laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic transformations.

Mechanical waves. Radioactivity.

Electric charges. Quantization of electric charge. Conductors and
insulators. Coulomb's law. Definition of electric field. Electric
dipole. Charge density.

Electric potential. Potential difference. Equipotential
surfaces.

Electric currents: definition and units. Current density. Electromotive force generators. Resistance. Electrical circuits. 

Magnetism. Effect of magnetic field on the motion of electric
charges. Lorentz's force. Magnetic field sources. Biot-Savart
law. Faraday's law. Induced electromotive force. Maxwell equations.

Electromagnetic waves. Fundamentals of optics.

Readings/Bibliography

The main reference textbook is:
D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker - Fondamenti di Fisica - Casa ed. Ambrosiana Milano (Volume unico oppure Volume 1 + Volume 2)

As an alternative, other books can be used by the student. For instance:
D.G. Giancoli - Fisica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
R.A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr - Principi di Fisica - EdiSES

A useful complement can be:
R. Chapman - Physics for Geologists - Taylor & Francis Group, Routledge US

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises.

Assessment methods

Written and oral exam.

The written exam is designed to test the student's ability to quantitatively solve physics problems and consists of three exercises. Students are allowed two hours for the written exam. Only a pocket calculator is permitted during the exam. A passing grade for the written exam will be awarded between 18/30 and 30/30. A passing grade for the written exam is required to advance to the oral exam.

The oral exam, lasting 30-40 minutes, is designed to test the student's theoretical knowledge of the topics covered in class and their ability to present them orally with appropriate language. The oral exam typically consists of questions on four topics (two for each of the two modules of the course). The oral exam is not graded, but if the exam is passed, the oral exam's evaluation contributes to the final grade (between 18/30 and 30/30 cum laude) along with the written exam's score. If the oral exam is not sufficient, the written exam grade remains valid for a subsequent oral exam.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

 

 

 

Teaching tools

Blackboard and projector. Teaching material on the "Virtuale" platform.

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Nipoti

See the website of Veronica Roccatagliata