Unit PHYSICS
- Course
- Earth science and environment
- Study-unit Code
- 55A00010
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Nicola Tomassetti
- Teachers
-
- Nicola Tomassetti
- Emanuele Fiandrini (Codocenza)
- Hours
- 45 ore - Nicola Tomassetti
- 7 ore (Codocenza) - Emanuele Fiandrini
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Base
- Area
- Formazione fisica di base
- Sector
- PHYS-06/A
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- ITALIAN
- Contents
- Introduction to Physics (physical quantities, measurements and uncertainty analysis).
Mechanics of particles and systems.
Fluid mechanics.
Introductory thermodynamics.
Electrostatics: electric force and electric field; work and electric potential; Gauss’s law; conductors and dielectrics; capacitors; electric current.
Magnetostatics: magnetic force on moving charges and currents; sources of the magnetic field; magnetic field generated by currents; Ampère’s law; Gauss’s law for magnetism; Earth’s magnetic field.
Electromagnetic induction.
Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves. - Reference texts
- D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker. - Fundamentals of Physics - Wiley ed.
Halliday, Resnick, Walker: Fundamentals of Physics. Vol II - VII Edition - Educational objectives
- Upon completion of the course, students will acquire an understanding of the fundamental concepts of classical physics, with particular emphasis on mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
Students will be able to:
– understand and interpret the main physical models and their meaning;
– apply the fundamental laws of physics to solve quantitative problems;
– correctly use physical quantities, units of measurement, and uncertainty analysis;
– clearly and rigorously present and discuss the physical phenomena covered in the course. - Prerequisites
- The topics covered in the course require a basic knowledge of differential and integral calculus. In particular, students are expected to be able to compute derivatives and simple integrals and to apply them to elementary problem solving.
These skills represent a fundamental prerequisite for successfully following the course. - Teaching methods
- Lectures and in-class problem-solving sessions, including the presentation and discussion of exercises and examples.
- Learning verification modality
- The exam consists of a written test and, if necessary, an oral examination, aimed at assessing the understanding of the concepts and the ability to apply them to problem solving.
- Extended program
- Introduction to Physics: physical quantities, units of measurement, dimensional analysis; measurements in physics, measuring instruments, and uncertainty analysis.
Mechanics of particles and systems: kinematics and dynamics of a particle; Newton’s laws; work and energy; momentum and collisions; systems of particles.
Fluid mechanics: fluid statics; pressure; Archimedes’ principle; fluid dynamics; continuity equation and Bernoulli’s equation.
Introductory thermodynamics: temperature and heat; laws of thermodynamics; basic thermodynamic processes.
Electrostatics: electric force and electric field; work and electric potential; Gauss’s law; conductors and dielectrics; capacitors; electric current and resistance.
Magnetostatics: magnetic force on moving charges and currents; magnetic field and its sources; magnetic field generated by currents; Ampère’s law; Gauss’s law for magnetism; Earth’s magnetic field and geomagnetism.
Electromagnetic induction: Faraday–Neumann–Lenz law; induction phenomena.
Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves: Maxwell’s equations in differential and integral form; propagation of electromagnetic waves.
Introductory quantum mechanics: concept of action; quantization; energy levels; uncertainty principle; atomic models. - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- The course contributes to the development of basic scientific skills necessary for understanding natural phenomena and technological processes, in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Quality Education (Goal 4).