16726 - General Physics A

Learning outcomes

This course aims to give the students the knowledge of the basic concepts of scientific method, in particular the fundamental physics concepts derived from Classical Mechanics. The students have to reach knowledge of the scientific methods and of the natural laws so that they can solve simple problems in a quantitative form.

Course contents

- Introduction and vectors: Units. Physical quantities. Vectors and vector algebra.

- Kinematics and dynamics: Motion along a straight line. Motion in two or three dimensions. Characteristics of force. Fundamental forces. Newton’s laws of motion.

- Work and energy: Work. Kinetic energy. Conservative forces. Potential energy and energy conservation. Non conservative forces.

- Momentum and collisions: Momentum and impulse. Collisions.

- Rotational motion: Rotation of rigid bodies. Kinematics of rotational motion. Moment of inertia. Rotational enenergy. Torque. Angular momentum. Conservation of angular momentum. Rigid body rotation about a fixed axis. Rolling without slipping.

- Solid: Equilibrium of rigid bodies. Elasticity and fracture of materials. Hooke's law. Stress and deformation: traction, compression, bending, shearing, torsion. Elasticity of biological tissues.

- Fluid Mechanics: Density and pressure. Pressure, depth and Stevino’s law. Archimede’s principle. Fluid dynamics: continuity equation, Bernoulli’s equation.

- Periodic motion: Simple harmonic motion: equations and period.

- Gravitation: Newton’s law of gravitation.

Readings/Bibliography

• Suggested book:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford "PRINCIPI DI FISICA, vol 1. Meccanica, Onde e Termodinamica", Pearson.
• The topics of the course are present in all the texts of general physics that contain the subjects of mechanics (texts of university level that make use of the integral calculus). For example, D. Halliday & R. Resnick "Physical 1 ", R. Serway "Principi di Fisica", Douglas C. Giancoli "Fisica 1" and many others.

• For further exercises the electronic version eText of the book above (which contains summary exercises of the various chapters) is suggested.

• The text of written examination from previous years and their resolution are available on the course's Virtuale website.

Teaching methods

Class lectures supported by PC slides (combination of slides available in advance on Virtuale website and demonstrations/resolutions exercises carried out on the blackboard).

Exercises and problems sessions: There are 2-3 session of exercises to be carried out in the classroom, in order to stimulate interaction in small groups. Tutorial activity is foreseen with summary exercises on macro topics such as dynamics and rotational motion.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to verify the achievement of the learning objectives, namely, understanding the fundamentals of general physics and acquiring the scientific-technical methodology necessary to quantitatively address physics problems.


Learning is assessed through a mandatory written exam and an optional oral exam.


Written exam
- MANDATORY
- Takes place in person
- Consists of questions on the theory portion of the course and exercises/problems.
- Registration on AlmaEsami is MANDATORY. It is the student's responsibility to cancel registration by the exam date if they do not wish to take the exam.
- The written exam grade is out of 30, and a score of 18/30 or higher is considered a pass.
- The written exam may be "passed with reservation" if the student does not achieve a passing grade or if clarification is needed regarding the proper administration of the exam. In this case, passing the exam is subject to taking the oral exam (see below).
- The student may, at his or her discretion, refuse the exam grade (both the written exam and the conditional exam). Refusal will require the student to retake the written exam at a later exam date.


Details on the content of the written exam and the grading methods will be provided in class.


Oral exam
- This is optional except in cases where the oral exam is specifically requested by the instructor (passing the written exam "conditionally").
- It lasts approximately 20 minutes.
- It covers the marking of the written exam and the entire syllabus covered.
- The final grade may be higher or lower than the written exam grade, or result in a failure.
- Registration for the oral exam is done by registering on Almaesami.
- The order of entry will be The order of registration on Almaesami. Any exchanges of positions are permitted by agreement between the examinees. Depending on the number of students, the exams may be held over multiple days; in this case, the schedule will be established once registration closes.
Final Grade


General Physics is an integrated course that includes General Physics A and General Physics B; therefore, the final grade for the General Physics course will be recorded after passing both the General Physics A and General Physics B exams (as the average of the grades obtained, rounded up).


It is strongly recommended, but not mandatory, to take the General Physics A exam first.


Exam Sessions and Exam Dates


There will be six exam sessions per year, spread across three sessions:
- Summer session: June-July
- Fall session: September
- Winter session: January-February


Exam dates will be set based on the academic calendar and communicated to students in good time.


There are no exams scheduled in Itinerary during the year.


Students with learning disabilities (LD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: Please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). They will be responsible for suggesting any accommodations to the affected students. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability, also taking into account the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

The teaching material presented in the lesson is made available to the student via the Virtuale website. To obtain the teaching materials, you must access it with your student credentials at unibo.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Bonifazi