OVERVIEW

The course of General Physics 2 is one of the three courses of General Physics of the LT in Physics, which concern classical physics (mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics) as well as an introduction to special relativity, gravitation and scattering. The course of General Physics 2 is divided into two parts. The first one is dedicated to thermodynamics, kinetic theory and fluid mechanics. The second one to the classical mechanics of rigid bodies, the motion in a central field (for example gravitational) and to collisions between particles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides knowledge and understanding of concepts and fundamental elements of the mechanics of systems of multiple particles and/or rigid bodies and thermodynamics, highlighting the models used and their limits of validity.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of  the course is to provide the students with the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts in the following areas:
• thermodynamics
• kinetic theory
• Newtonian mechanics of extended systems (fluids and rigid bodies),
• motion of a particle in a central field (in particular the gravitational field) and
• classical scattering.

At the end of the course the student should:
• know and understand the contents of the course, as presented by the professors both through lectures and through any given precise bibliographical reference
• be able to relate the contents of this course with the contents of the course of General Physics 1 (1st year LT), and the different contents of the General Physics 2 course among them
• be able to independently elaborate thoughts on the concept of model and its limits of validity,

• know how to solve exercises of the type and difficulty of those presented by professors during the course • know how to discuss with the professors the topics covered in the course, using a correct and scientifically appropriate language • know how to study the topics proposed, taking advantage from, and relating one to each other, different sources such as notes taken in class, bibliographic references given by the professors  and any suggested in-depth material

PREREQUISITES

Students are expected to be familiar with the contents of the courses of General Physics 1, Mathematical Analysis 1, Linear Algebra and Analytical Geometry, in particular with: analysis of functions; derivatives and integrals for functions of a single variable; linear differential equations

Teaching methods

The course is provided in the form of lectures that include:

• presentation of contents on the blackboard

• power point presentations

• viewing of films

• exercises done on the blackboard by the teacher

• group activities (for example, exercises carried out by students in groups with the guide of the teacher)

• instant polling

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

PART 1 (first semester)

Thermodynamic systems, zero principle and temperature; heat and first principle of thermodynamics; phase diagrams and state equations; applications of the first principle to ideal gases and other systems; kinetic theory; real gases and hints on molecular interactions; second principle of thermodynamics; thermal machines; thermodynamic potentials and thermodynamic equilibrium; coexistence between phases and phase transitions, Clausius-Clapeyron equation; black body radiation and heat transmission.

Static and dynamic of pure homogeneous fluids.

PART 2 (second semester)

Motion of a rigid body:
angular velocity, the inertia tensor, angular momentum of a rigid body, the equation of motion of a rigid body, eulerian angles, Euler’s equations, the asymmetrical top, rigid bodies in contact, motion in a non-inertial frame of reference

Integration of the equations of motion:
Motion in one dimension, determination of the potential energy from the period of oscillation, the reduced mass, motion in a central field, Kepler’s problem

Collisions between particles:
disintegrtation of particle,s elastic collisions, scattering, Rutherford’s formula, small-angle scattering

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Landau - Meccanica
Mazzoldi-Nigro-Voci    Fisica/ Vol.I    
E. Fermi - Termodinamica - Bollati Boringhieri
R. G. Mortimer - Physical Chemistry - Elsevier
Mencuccini e Silvestrini - Fisica I: meccanica e termodinamica - Liguori
Mark W. Zemansky - Calore e termodinamica - Zanichelli
HB Callen - Termodinamica – Tamburini

Exam Board

GIULIA ROSSI (President)

ALESSANDRO PETROLINI

MARCO PALLAVICINI

LEA DI NOTO

NICOLA MAGGIORE

Teaching methods

The course is provided in the form of lectures that include:

• presentation of contents on the blackboard

• power point presentations

• viewing of films

• exercises done on the blackboard by the teacher

• group activities (for example, exercises carried out by students in groups with the guide of the teacher)

• instant polling

LESSONS START

As stated in the Manifesto

Exam description

written and oral examination

Assessment methods

EXAM: written (complete or two partial tests) + oral examination
The final grade is the result of the overall evaluation (in the sense specified in the following points) of the written and oral tests.
FULL WRITTEN EXAM

The complete written test consists of 4 exercises (2 for each half of the course). The maximum time available for the complete test is 4 hours. The dates of the written tests are indicated on Aulaweb and on the exam calendar on the University’s website. Registration for written tests through the Unige website is mandatory, students are recommended to check the deadline for registration.

The full written test is passed with a mark ≥ 18/32.

PARTIAL WRITTEN TESTS

There are two partial tests reserved for students registered in the academic year 2020-2021. The first consists of 2 exercises of thermodynamics/ fluids. The first partial test may be held in January and/or February 2021. The second, which will be contextual to the tests of June and July 2021, consists of 2 mechanics exercises. The maximum time available for partial tests is 2 hours.

If the thermodynamics/fluids test is passed by a ≥ 15/32 mark, students are admitted to the second partial test. If the second partial test is passed with a grade such that the arithmetic mean of the two tests is ≥ 18/32, the complete written text is considered to be passed.

ORAL EXAM

The oral exam can be done by the students who have passed with written exam. The professors communicate the date, time and place of the oral exam during or immediately after the written test.

During the oral exam, the teacher verifies that the student has understood the contents of the course and he/she is able to present them in a clear way. More in detail, the teacher can ask for:
•    the solution of an exercise
•    the analysis of a real situation that can be described using the models presented in the course
•    the description of a model and of its limits of validity
•    the demonstration of a physical relation

Exam schedule