27996 - General Physics T-1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a good knowledge of classical mechanics (kinematics and dynamics, including systems of particles and rigid bodies) as well as of thermodynamics. He/she is able to apply this knowledge to the solution of exercises and problems of mechanics and thermodynamics of intermediate to advanced level.

Course contents

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Science and knowledge. The meaning of measurements. Physical quantities. The experimental method. Units of measurement and systems of units.

VECTOR QUANTITIES

Vectors and scalars. Unit vectors. Sum, difference, and decomposition of vectors. Multiplication of vectors. Cartesian representation of vectors. Applied vectors. Moments of vectors. Vectors and physical laws.

THE MOTION OF BODIES FROM A KINEMATIC POINT OF VIEW

Space and time. Motion and reference systems. Concept of a material point and representations of its motion. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the material point.

Study of rectilinear and circular motions. Simple and damped harmonic motion. Composition of harmonic motions. Definition of a rigid body.

DYNAMICS

The search for the causes that generate the motion of bodies. Definition of force. Fundamental forces.

• The absence of forces and the principle of inertia. Inertia, inertial systems, and the first law of dynamics. Inertial mass.

• The second law of dynamics. Motion in non-inertial systems and inertial forces. Dynamics of a material point: momentum and angular momentum; central motions; the mathematical pendulum.

• Study of the motion of systems of points: the concept of interaction; the third law of dynamics in Newton’s formulation. Conservative statement of the third law of dynamics. The fundamental interactions in nature.

• Gravitational interaction: Newton and the first unification of forces; gravitational mass and inertial mass. The motion of planets. Notes on electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions and their unification.

• The cardinal equations of mechanics and the necessary and sufficient conditions to describe the motion of mechanical systems.

• The center of mass.

• The dynamics of rigid bodies. The moment of inertia. The Huygens-Steiner theorem. Motion of a rigid body with a fixed axis. The physical pendulum.

• Work and energy: the work done by a force on a material point. Power. The concept of energy. Relationship between work and motion. The theorem of living forces (work-energy theorem) and kinetic energy for a material point. The gradient of a scalar field. The curl of a vector field. Conservative force fields and potential energy. The theorem of conservation of mechanical energy. The potential of the gravitational force field.

• Work and energy for a system of points. Expression of work and kinetic energy for a rigid system of points. Expression of kinetic energy for a rigid system. Potential energy for systems of points. Theorem of conservation of energy for systems. Systems of material points in the presence of conservative and non-conservative forces: the principle of conservation of energy.

THERMODYNAMICS

• Thermodynamic systems: thermodynamic variables; thermal and thermodynamic equilibrium; the zeroth law and temperature; the constant-volume gas thermometer; thermodynamic transformations; equations of state of ideal gases and Van der Waals gases.

• The first law of thermodynamics: thermodynamic work; heat, heat capacity, and specific heats; first law of thermodynamics and internal energy; free expansion of a rarefied gas and properties of ideal gases; notes on the kinetic theory of gases; adiabatic transformations.

• The second law of thermodynamics: heat engines and the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law; refrigerators and the Clausius statement of the second law; equivalence of the two statements; reversible transformations and reversible engines; cycle, engine, and Carnot’s theorem; absolute thermodynamic temperature; Clausius inequality; entropy; statement of the second law in terms of entropy; notes on entropy and probability; the arrow of time.

Readings/Bibliography

Testi/Bibliografia

Testo principale consigliato:

GIANNI VANNINI, Gettys-Fisica1, Meccanica-Termodinamica, Ed. McGraw-Hill.

Altri testi consigliati:

- P.MAZZOLDI, M. NIGRO e C.VOCI, Fisica, Elementi di Fisica. Meccanica e Termodinamica. Edises

- E. FERMI, A. SCOTTI, Termodinamica, Bollati Boringhieri.

- C. MENCUCCINI, V. SILVESTRINI, Fisica - Meccanica e termodinamica, casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

Classes take place mainly at the blackboard or slides/tablet and in italian.

Students with difficulties with Italian should get in contact with the lecturers to set up a meeting.

Lecture notes and exercises will be published on the virtual page of the course.

Assessment methods

Written exams with multiple choice or open questions at the end of the lecture period.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities:

We recommend contacting the University Office responsible for support services in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it):] ). The office will evaluate the students' needs and, where appropriate, propose possible accommodations. These must in any case be submitted for approval at least 15 days in advance to the course instructor, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Lecture notes will be made available on the virtual page of the course, together with solved problems and exams from the past years. 

In addition to the lectures, a tutor will lead an exercise session every week which will happen online via Teams.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Despali

See the website of Carlo Battilana