OVERVIEW

The course of General Physics will present the basic laws of mechanics and electromagnetism in vacuum. It will start with the model of a point mass by introducing the necessary kinematic quantities and then it will present the description of a system of points and the rigid body. For electromagnetism, it will start with electrostatics, then electrical current and magnetostatics will be treated, and it will finish with the electromagnetic induction.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course has the aim to provide the concepts and the fundamental laws of mechanics and electromagnetism. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the utility and limitations related to the use of schematizations and models.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

To give students the ability to properly use the language and possibly the scientific formalism.

To acquire the ability to recognize the applicability of schematizations and models in concrete situations.

To acquire the ability to formulate and solve exercises and problems in the context of the proposed content and to evaluate the results critically.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisetes are requested, only the knowlege of math at high school level.

Teaching methods

The topics are presented and exemplified through lectures face-to-face and are further clarified through the solution of exercises and problems.

Lessons: about 90 hours,

exercises: about 30 hours.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

First semester:

Mechanics of a point mass: Kinematics. Newton's laws. Work. mechanical energy, Momentum. Moment of momentum. Conservation laws.
Mechanics of points systems: the center of mass. Momentum and its conservation. Angular momentum and its conservation, rigid body rotating around a fixed axis, work and kinetic energy, moment of inertia.

Second semester:
Electrostatics and currents: electric field in vacuum. Gauss' law. Potential. Capacitors. Electrostatic energy. Electric current. Ohm's law. Joule's Law. Electrical circuits. RC circuits.
Magnetostatics and electromagnetic induction: magnetic field in vacuum. Force on moving charges. Ampere's law. Faraday's law. Self-induction. Magnetic energy. RL circuits.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended reference books are:

- C. Mencuccini,V. Silvestrini, Fisica (Meccanica e Termodinamica)-

Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano

- R. Mazzoldi, M.Nigro, C. Voci, Elementi di Fisica-Elettromagnetismo, 

Casa Editrice EdiSES

Exam Board

GIANANGELO BRACCO (President)

GIANRICO LAMURA (President)

SILVANO TOSI

Teaching methods

The topics are presented and exemplified through lectures face-to-face and are further clarified through the solution of exercises and problems.

Lessons: about 90 hours,

exercises: about 30 hours.

LESSONS START

Classes are held over two semesters.

First semester: Monday, from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 15.00.

Second semester: Friday, from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 15.00.

First semester starts  at the end of September and ends before Christmas holiday.

Second semester starts at the end of February and ends at the end of May.

Exam description

Three exam sessions are foreseen in summer (June, July, September) and two sessions are foreseen in winter (January, February)

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.

It is mandatory to register using the online mode (from the University portal services to students), and at least three days before the date of the written test.

The oral exam is usually fixed after 7 days from the date of the written exam.

Registration for the oral exam: after correction of the written test the results are published on AulaWeb with date, time and place of oral examination. The written test is passed with a score of at least 15/30. Candidates who have passed the written test have the opportunity to reschedule the oral exam in a subsequent session of the same exam summer/winter session.

Candidates who do not attend the oral exam on the fixed date without justification lose the written mark and are required to be retested.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test on classical mechanics and electromagnetism and in an oral test on all the topics covered in class.

The written test consists of solving an exercise on point masses, one on mechanics of systems, an exercise on electricity and one on magnetism.

Duration of the test is 4 hours. Only non-programmable calculators are allowed. PDAs, tablets or mobile phones are not allowed.

A formulary and sheets of paper will be provided for the test. The student must sign all sheets that will be handed for correction. Anonymous sheets will not be evaluated. No books, notes and handouts are allowed for consultation.

Students who pass the written test with mark 15/30 are admitted to the oral test which consists of an interview of about 30 minutes on mechanics and electromagnetism.

In the interview, at the blackboard, the student must explain both how to solve simple problems and  demonstrate the main formulas of mechanics and electromagnetism (demonstrations shown in lectures or described in the recommended textbooks).
The interview will also evaluate the student's capacity to correctly use the language and the scientific formalism.