FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS

The aim is to integrate the knowledge and the skills related to the topics covered by the basic physics courses of Bachelor Degree programmes, such as classical mechanics, classical electromagnetism, wave physics and optics, so that the student can both complete the preparation in these disciplines and result adequately prepared to face the most advanced teaching.
Among the educational objectives of the course, we note first of all the development of the capability to apply laws and physical theories to the study of the properties of materials and to concrete cases in the context of those phenomena typical of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, wave propagation, optics. Moreover, particular attention is given to the development of the capability to elaborate a logical reasoning, with appropriate methodological rigor, in view of both the resolution of problems and the analysis of situations that refer to the phenomenology dealt with by the teaching.

1. Knowledge and understanding.
1.1. To know and understand the main theories developed in the study of classical and fluid mechanics, and electric, magnetic, wave and optical phenomena.
1.2. To know and understand the relationship between the response of a system subjected to a mechanical, electric, magnetic or optical stimulus and its physical properties.
1.3. To know and understand the areas of application of the different descriptive approaches, based on specific theoretical models.

2. Capability of applying knowledge and understanding.
2.1. To know how to apply the concepts and models learned in solving theoretical questions.
2.2. To know how to apply the methods and models learned in the study of the properties of a specific physical system, with particular reference to mechanics, electromagnetism, wave and optical phenomena.

3. Capability of judgment.
3.1. To be able to evaluate the consistency of the results deriving from the analysis of a physical system based on the concepts learned, both in the theoretical and experimental fields.
3.2. To know how to perform a critical analysis of the method used to study a specific physical system, evaluating the possibility of different approaches.

4. Communication skills.
4.1. To knowing how to communicate the knowledge learned and refer to the effect of its application with appropriate scientific language and mastery of the related terminology and symbology.
4.2. To know how to interact constructively and respectfully with the teacher and with the classmates, both during the classroom lesson and outside of this context.

5. Learning skills.
5.1. To know how to take notes in an effective and rigorous way, being able to identify and select the concepts and topics covered in class, depending their importance and priority.
5.2. To know how to critically consult the texts and the teaching material indicated by the teacher.
5.3. To know how to identify alternative reference sources for the study, also through the interaction with the teacher.

It is requested to have fully achieved the training objectives set by the physics courses of Bachelor degree programmes. In particular, the student must have an adequate knowledge of the basic principles and theories concerning the kinematics and dynamics of physical bodies, the mechanics of the forces, the concept of energy, the properties of the electric and magnetic forces and fields, the phenomenology of oscillating motions.
Furthermore, it is required to have achieved the training objectives provided for by the mathematics courses of Bachelor degree programmes, so that the student has mastered the mathematical tools used for the presentation of the topics covered by the lessons. In particular, it is appropriate that the student is in possession of the basic concepts related to differential and integral calculus, properties of vector functions, resolution of differential equations.
Finally, it is necessary to understand the English language, at least at the written level, with regard to the specific scientific language and the technical terms adopted by the teacher, in order to understand both material and presentations proposed during the classes.

It is pointed that the program has to be considered flexible and its structure can be varied, since the teacher will take care, introducing the differents parts of the course, to compare with the students to ascertain previous knowledge and to evaluate the topics to address, the ones to recall from previous courses and the ones to deepen, as well as the time to devote to each point of the program during the class.

Point mass kinematics and dynamics
Point mass model, time law of motion, main quantities. Newton’s laws, concept of force, classification of forces.

Work and energy
Work of a force, kinetic and potential energy, conservative forces, conservation of mechanical energy.

Dynamics of systems of points
Linear momentum, center of mass, momentum conservation. Definition of rigid body, translations and rotations, inertia moment, angular momentum, gyroscopic effects.

Fluid mechanics
Static equilibrium in a fluid, Pascal’s principle, Archimede’s principle. Steady-state motion, Bernoulli's theorem, motion in a fluid, surface phenomena.

Oscillating and wave phenomena
Definition of wave, d'Alembert's equation, plane harmonic wave. Statement of the Fourier’s theorem. Simple harmonic motion. Harmonic, damped, forced oscillator.

Wave superposition
Wave intensity, polarization for transverse waves. Propagation velocity of mechanical waves, acoustic waves. Superposition principle, interference. Standing waves, normal modes.

Force and electrostatic field
Electromagnetic interaction, electric charge, Coulomb's law. Electrostatic field, lines of force.

Electric potential
Work of electric force, electric potential, electrostatic potential energy. Motion of a charge in an electrostatic field. Electric dipole.

Gauss's law
Flow of the electric field, Gauss's law. Electrostatic field and potential for charge distributions.

Conductors and capacitors
Conductors at the equilibrium, electrostatic screen. Capacitors, capacitance, capacitor connection. Capacitor with dielectric, polarization of dielectrics. Electrostatic field energy.

Current and electric resistance
Electrical conduction, intensity and density of the electric current. Ohm's law, electric resistance, Joule effect. Resistors, connection of resistors.

Electric circuits
Direct current circuits, Kirchhoff's laws for electric circuits. Charge and discharge processes in a capacitor.

Magnetism
Magnetic phenomena, magnetic field, lines of field. Lorentz’s force, mechanical moment on plane circuits, motion of a charge in a magnetic field. Diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic substances.

Magnetic field sources
Magnetic field produced by a current, laws of Laplace, magnetic force between currents. Ampère's law, ideal solenoid.

Time-dependent electric and magnetic fields
Electromagnetic induction, Faraday-Neumann-Henry’s law, electromotive force, induced electric field. Self-induction, inductors, extra-currents in an inductive circuit. Magnetic field energy. Electric oscillations.

Maxwell equations and electromagnetic waves
Ampère-Maxwell’s law, Maxwell equations. Electromagnetic waves, relationships between electric and magnetic fields, refractive index, polarization. Energy density, intensity of an electromagnetic wave. Spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation.

Optics
Propagation of light waves, reflection, refraction, dispersion. Coherent sources. Interference of light waves, interference on thin sheets, interference of N coherent sources. Diffraction phenomena, Fraunhofer diffraction, diffraction grating.

As a basis for the study of the topics covered by the program, as well as to deepen the concepts treated in class, every text of general physics at university level can be considered adequate. Eventually, the student can consult the teacher for the approval of the text.
Below is a list of commonly used textbooks in English:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett, “Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text”, 5th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2013.
Douglas C. Giancoli, “Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics”, 4th Edition, Pearson, 2008.
Furthermore, the following books can be found on the web:
D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker, “Fundamentals of Physics”, downloadable on https://archive.org/details/FundamentalsOfPhysicsHallidayResnickWalker
R. Feynman, R. Leighton, M. Sands, “The Feynman Lectures on Physics”, available on-line at http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/

The verification of learning takes place through a written test

Teaching is organized in lectures, during which the teacher simultaneously uses the blackboard and the projection of presentations (powerpoint documents).
Through the University "moodle" platform, the teaching material shown during the lessons is made available.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support

services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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