PHYSICS I F - O

• Knowledge of the conservation principles relevant to the course syllabus;

• Knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects required to solve physics problems;

• Ability to appropriately apply concepts related to physical quantities and dimensional analysis;

• Ability to apply vector calculus to the solution of physics problems;

• Ability to solve problems concerning the kinematics, statics, and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies;

• Ability to apply knowledge of fluid statics and fluid dynamics to real-world problems;

• Ability to apply fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, such as heat and the efficiency of heat engines.

Contribution of the Course to the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The course contributes indirectly and across disciplines to the goals of the 2030 Agenda through the acquisition of fundamental scientific knowledge, quantitative tools, and the ability to analyse physical phenomena relevant to engineering:

• SDG 4 – Quality Education (Targets 4.3 and 4.4: fundamental scientific education, development of technical and scientific skills, and autonomous learning abilities);

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality;

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.

The course consists of 42 hours (6 CFU credits) of lectures and 45 hours (3 CFU credits) of practical classes. Teaching will be conducted primarily using the blackboard. Slides and multimedia resources will also be used to facilitate the understanding of specific topics and explore them in greater depth.

A cooperative learning approach will be encouraged, with the classroom serving as a forum for discussion between the lecturer and the students, as well as among the students themselves. There will be several opportunities for brainstorming on the topics covered and their real-world applications.

A flipped-classroom approach will mainly be adopted to solve problems proposed by the lecturer and/or the students during class. Students will be directly involved in solving the problems, and the chosen approach and the results obtained will be discussed collectively.

Should the course be delivered in a blended or online format, any necessary changes may be introduced to the teaching methods described above in order to cover the course content set out in the syllabus.

At the beginning of the course, it is very important to possess the following prerequisite knowledge and skills:

• Proficiency in algebraic calculations;

• Knowledge of trigonometry;

• Knowledge of the main principles of geometry;

• Familiarity with differential calculus;

• Familiarity with the analysis of mathematical functions.

1) Physical Quantities
Physical quantities in Physics; Units of measurement and International System (SI); Fundamental quantities and derived quantities; Dimensional analysis; Measurement errors; Significant figures; Scientific notation; Scalar quantities and vector quantities; Reference systems; Vector algebra.

2) Kinematics
Displacement vector; Trajectory; Average and instantaneous velocity; Average and instantaneous acceleration; Motion law; Uniform rectilinear motion; Uniformly accelerated motion and free fall; Parabolic motion; Uniform circular motion.

3) Dynamics: Principles, Quantities, and Fundamental Systems
The concept of force and inertia; Momentum; The three principles of dynamics; Resultant forces: reaction constraints and mechanical equilibrium condition; Inertial and non-inertial reference systems; Examples of forces: weight force, sliding friction force, viscous friction force, centripetal force, elastic force and Hooke’s Law, Tension in strings; Work done by a force; Power; Kinetic energy; Kinetic energy theorem; Conservative and non-conservative forces; Potential energy; Conservation principle of mechanical energy; Conservation of energy and momentum in elastic collisions; Inclined plane; Simple pendulum; 

4) Dynamics: Rotational Motion and Rigid Body
Angular acceleration; Rotational kinetic energy; Torque and moment of inertia; Angular momentum and its conservation; System of point particles; Center of mass and center of mass coordinates; Internal and external forces; Definition of a rigid body and its properties; Motion of a rigid body; Rigid rotations around an axis in an inertial reference system; Rotational energy and work; Huygens-Steiner theorem; Pure rolling motion; Energy conservation in rigid body motion.

5) Fluid Mechanics
Overview of fluids; Pressure and density; Ideal and real fluids; Viscosity; Fluid statics: Stevin’s law, Pascal’s principle, Archimedes’ force; Fluid dynamics: Streamlines and flow tubes, Steady flow regime, Laminar and turbulent motion, Flow rate and its conservation, Bernoulli’s theorem, Torricelli’s theorem; Motion in a fluid.

The material provided by the instructor does not replace the textbook. A good Physics I manual is essential for reinforcing learning.

The following texts are recommended:

1. D.C. Giancoli, “Physics 1, Mechanics – Waves – Thermodynamics”, Ambrosiana Publishing;
   
2. L. Duò, P. Taroni, “Physics, Mechanics and Thermodynamics”, EdiSES Publishing;
   
3. Halliday, Resnick, “Fundamentals of Physics, Mechanics – Waves – Thermodynamics”, Ambrosiana Publishing;
   
4. G. Cantatore, G. Vannini, L. Vitale, “Physics 1, Mechanics and Thermodynamics”, McGrawHill Publishing;
   
5. M. Zani, L. Duò, P. Taroni, “Exercises in Physics, Mechanics and Thermodynamics”, EdiSES Publishing.

The examination consists of a written test and an oral examination. The final grade will take into account the candidates’ performance in both parts.

Students may attend only the examination sessions for which they have successfully registered.

The results of the written test and the dates of the oral examination will be announced for each examination session through a notice published on the Smart EDU GOMP platform.

Information for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLDs): To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students may request an individual meeting with the lecturer to arrange any appropriate compensatory measures and/or exemptions, taking into account the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the Department’s CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or SLDs), Prof. A. Pagano.

The assessment may also be conducted online should circumstances require it.

Written test

The written test consists of four problems covering the following topics: kinematics; translational and rotational dynamics; fluid statics and fluid dynamics; and thermodynamics.

Each problem will be awarded a score ranging from 0/30 to 7.5/30, based on the following criteria: clarity, rigour, and formal and numerical accuracy in the solution.

Passing the written test with a minimum grade of 18/30 grants admission to the oral examination.

Exceptionally, requests for admission to the oral examination from students who received a failing grade in the written examination, but no lower than 15/30, may be considered, subject to verification of adequate foundational knowledge through a preliminary interview.

Oral examination

After the written test has been passed, the oral examination will normally take place within one or two weeks of the written test and, in all cases, NO LATER THAN the end of the examination session in which the student took the written test. Students are therefore strongly advised to take the written test only after they have acquired sufficient knowledge of the subject to also sit the oral examination. In the event of an unsuccessful oral examination, the student will be required to retake the written test.

The oral examination will be assessed according to the following criteria: the relevance of the answers to the questions asked, the quality of the content, the ability to establish connections with other topics included in the syllabus, the ability to provide examples, the appropriate use of technical terminology, and overall communication skills.