Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to the scientific method. The international system of units. Measurement uncertainty and significant figures. Cinematics, forces, statics and dynamics. Inertial and not inertial reference frames. Work and energy. Conservation laws. Oscillations, elasticity and waves. Hydrostatics, hydrodynamics for ideal and real fluids, surface tension. Heat propagation, gas laws and Maxwell theory. Thermodynamics. Diffusion and osmosis.

W. E. Gettys, F. J. Keller, M. J. Skove, "Fisica 1", McGraw-Hill
P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro, C. Voci, "Fisica" Vol. 1 EdiSES

Mastery of concepts, physical laws and methods of classical physics for what concerns the fields of classical mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics

Notions of Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry and elements of infinitesimal calculus usually obtained during high school.

The course is based on front lectures in the classroom that will cover both the theoretical introduction of the program topics and the resolution of exercises carried out by the students and the teacher. Particular attention will be given to encouraging students to use an appropriate vocabulary. Self-evaluation quizzes will be administered and then discussed during classes.

In itinere learning will be checked through the discussion of numerical exercises conducted by both the teacher and the students. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final assessment is based on a written examination and an oral examination, both graded on a 30-point scale.

The written examination consists of 4–6 numerical problems whose type and level of difficulty are consistent with those addressed during the course. The problems may also require students to apply the concepts studied to contexts partially different from those previously examined. The written examination assesses the ability to:

correctly represent the physical system through an appropriate schematic model;
identify the relevant quantities and applicable laws;
formulate and solve the mathematical model;
correctly handle vector quantities and units of measurement;
check the dimensional consistency and physical plausibility of the results;
clearly explain and justify the procedure followed.

Each problem is assigned a score commensurate with its level of difficulty, for a total of 30 points. The score for each problem is divided into partial marks awarded according to the correctness of the formulation, procedure, and result. The written examination is passed with a score of at least 18/30. Clear reasoning and explanations may contribute up to 2 additional points to the overall score, potentially leading to the award of honours for the written examination.

The oral examination assesses:

• understanding of the fundamental principles and laws of classical mechanics;
• awareness and understanding of the procedures used in the written examination;
• the ability to state, explain, and establish connections among the different topics covered in the course;
• the ability to derive relations and results from fundamental principles;
• the correct use of scientific language and notation;
• the ability to apply acquired knowledge to situations different from those previously addressed.

During the oral examination, students may also be asked to address gaps or correct errors identified in the written examination. The oral examination is passed with a score of at least 18/30.

The final grade is calculated by assigning a weight of 2/5 to the written examination and 3/5 to the oral examination. Grades are awarded according to the following criteria:

18–21/30 – sufficient: essential knowledge of the fundamental principles and laws; ability to apply them to simple and familiar problems, despite some minor inaccuracies; comprehensible presentation and generally correct use of terminology and notation;
22–24/30 – satisfactory: adequate knowledge of the main topics; correct formulation and solution of problems of standard difficulty; ability to justify the main steps and establish simple connections among topics;
25–27/30 – good: comprehensive and sound knowledge of the course content; good ability to select and apply principles and mathematical tools, including in partially unfamiliar situations; clear, accurate, and well-organised presentation;
28–30/30 – very good: in-depth knowledge and ability to establish connections among different topics; autonomy in addressing unfamiliar or complex problems; command of derivations involving greater mathematical or conceptual difficulty; rigorous use of scientific language and critical assessment of results;
30/30 with honours – excellent: full achievement of the learning outcomes associated with the highest grade band, accompanied by outstanding rigour, independent reasoning, clarity of presentation, and ability to critically integrate and elaborate upon the course content.
The written marks expire after the next exam session and in case the oral exam is failed twice.

Introduction to the course. Units of measure. Size of physical quantities. Vectors algebra. Scalar and vector. Kinematic: motion in one or more dimensions. The motions in the plane. Dynamics. Work and energy. Rotational kinematics. Rotational Dynamics. Solid body statics. Elasticity. Wave mechanics. Acoustics. Ideal fluids. Motion of the ideal fluids. Real fluids. Surface phenomenon. Temperature and Heat. Heat propagation. Kinetic gas theory. The laws of thermodynamics. Heat machines. Thermodynamic functions. Gender integration: the importance of gender integration in research, teaching programs and training will be discussed.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
• define the main physical quantities, distinguish between scalar and vector quantities, and correctly use units of measurement and vector operations;
• state and explain the laws of classical mechanics, with particular reference to Newton’s laws and the conservation principles of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum;
• describe the conditions under which these laws are valid and their main consequences;
• derive relations and laws applicable to specific physical systems from fundamental principles, explicitly stating the assumptions and approximations adopted.
Applying knowledge and understanding
• construct a schematic representation of a mechanics problem by identifying the physical system, the relevant quantities, the constraints, and the approximations adopted;
• select and apply the appropriate physical laws, distinguishing fundamental principles from features specific to the problem;
• translate the description of a physical phenomenon into a mathematical model and solve it using the mathematical tools acquired;
• check the dimensional consistency of the results and assess their physical plausibility.
Communication skills
• present and discuss problems and concepts in classical physics using appropriate scientific language and consistent notation;
• explain the procedure followed in solving a problem and justify the laws, assumptions, and approximations used;
• graphically represent and interpret physical quantities and the relationships between them.
Learning skills
• apply the principles and methods acquired to problems different from those addressed during the course;
• independently identify similarities and differences between physical problems;
• use textbooks and other scientific sources to explore topics in classical physics required for further study.