GENERAL PHYSICS 1

Academic year
2019/2020 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
FISICA GENERALE 1
Course code
CT0523 (AF:312982 AR:166954)
Modality
On campus classes
ECTS credits
9
Degree level
Bachelor's Degree Programme
Educational sector code
FIS/01
Period
2nd Semester
Course year
1
Where
VENEZIA
Moodle
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This course is one of the basic training activities of the degree course in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies, allowing the students to acquire the knowledge and understanding of the main concepts of classical mechanics (a fundamental cultural baggage in all scientific disciplines).
Educational objectives of the course are: 1) to develop the ability to solve problems of classical mechanics (kinematics, static, dynamics) by applying the main laws; 2) to favor and stimulate the use of a logical and deductive reasoning in the resolution of these problems (an approach of fundamental importance to face any problem in the scientific field); 3) developing the ability to expose scientific concepts and reasoning in a formal way, both orally and by writing; 4) to develop dexterity, familiarity and autonomy in dealing with simple experimental problems, either alone or in small work groups; 5) to favor an appropriate experimental approach to scientific research and the use of measuring instruments; 6) to know how to treat and interpret the collected experimental data, as well as to propose them through a written report drawn up in a contextual scientific language.
1. Knowledge and understanding
A) Knowing the main laws and the main concepts of classical physics concerning kinematics, statics and dynamics.
B) Knowing the main features of the process of acquisition and processing of experimental data.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
A) Knowing how to use the laws and the physical concepts learned to solve theoretical and practical problems in a logical and deductive way.
B) Knowing how to create a collection of experimental data (alone and in group) and a consequent elaboration that is consistent in the final results, to be prepared by writing a scientific report.

3. Making judgements
i) Being able to evaluate the logical consistency of the results to which the application of the learned physical laws is applied, both in the theoretical field and in the case of experimental data.
ii) Knowing how to recognize errors through a critical analysis of the applied method.

4. Communication
i) Knowing how to communicate the knowledge learned and the result of its application using appropriate terminology, both in oral and written form.
ii) Knowing how to interact with the teacher and with the classmates in a respectful and constructive way, especially during the experimental work carried out in a group.

5. Lifelong learning skills
i) Knowing how to take notes, selecting and collecting information according to their importance and priority.
ii) Being able to be sufficiently autonomous in the collection of experimental data.
To have reached the educational objectives of ISTITUZIONI DI MATEMATICA CON ESERCITAZIONI – 1, possibly (but not necessarily) having passed the examination of this course. In particular, the students should be able to master the concepts and methods related to differential and integral calculus, as well as possessing the necessary knowledge of trigonometry.
1st PART - Learning objectives: 1), 2), 3). Expected learning outcomes: 1.A, 2.A, 3.i, 3.ii, 4.i, 4.ii, 5.i.

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the course. International system of units. Definition of observer.

KINEMATICS OF MASS POINT
Generalities on the vectors. Motion in more dimensions. Definition of position, velocity, acceleration. Uniform linear motion. Linear motion at constant acceleration. Tangential and centripetal acceleration. Circular motion. Uniform circular motion. Simple harmonic motion. Projectile motion.

DYNAMICS OF MASS POINT
Forces. Concepts of force and (inertial) mass. 1st Newton's law. 2nd Newton's law. Weight, normal force, tension of a string. 3rd Newton's law. The friction. Friction between solid surfaces: static and kinetic. Friction coefficients. Resistance of a fluid. Aerodynamic resistance. Energy concept. Kinetic energy. Work of a force. The work-kinetic energy theorem. Power of a force. Elastic force: Hooke's law. Simple harmonic motion. Potential energy. Conservative systems: mechanical energy and its conservation. Energy balances for systems with both conservative and non-conservative forces.

DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS OF MORE MASS POINTS
Systems of particles: "center of mass" vector. The center of mass motion theorem. 1st equation of systems dynamics. Conservation of momentum. Collisions. The impulse-momentum theorem. The ballistic pendulum. Vector torque. 2nd equation of systems dynamics. 1st and 2nd Koenig theorems.

DYNAMICS AND STATIC OF THE RIGID BODY
The rigid body. The angular velocity vector. Angular momentum of a rigid body. Moment of inertia. 2nd law of Newton for rigid body rotation. Parallel axis theorem. Kinetic energy of a rigid body. Work and power in the rotation of a rigid body. Simple and physical pendulum. Motion equations for small oscillations; period, angular and regular frequencies. Static equilibrium of rigid objects.

RELATIVE MOTION
Velocity of transportation motion. Centrifugal and Coriolis accelerations. 2nd Newton's law in non-inertial reference frames: fictitious forces.

FLUIDS
Density. Pressure. Stevin's law. Pascal's principle. Archimedes’ principle. Fluid flow. The ideal fluids. Conservation of flow. Bernoulli's equation. Venturi effect. Magnus effect. Torricelli's law.

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2nd PART - Learning objectives: 4), 5), 6). Expected learning outcomes: 1 B, 2 B, 3.i, 3.ii, 4.i, 4.ii, 5.i, 5.ii.

THEORY OF ERRORS
Inevitability of errors. Importance of their evaluation. Systematic and random errors. Estimate of random errors and their representation. Significant figures. Discrepancy. The relative error. Independent measures. Error in arbitrary functions of a variable. Functions of several variables: general formula for the propagation of error. Mean value, standard deviation, standard deviation of the mean. Histograms. Asymptotic distribution. The normal (or Gaussian) distribution. Confidence limits. Data rejection. Significant discrepancy. Weighted average. Least squares method. Linear regression. Covariance and correlation. Linear correlation coefficient.

GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY 1
Repeated measurements of the period of a Kater pendulum: Gaussian distribution of random errors.
Measurements of rotational dynamics of a flywheel: determination of the moment of inertia.
FIRST PART
As a support to the study, every universitary text of physics containing the basic notions of classical mechanics is acceptable. However, one of the following texts is suggested:
P. MAZZOLDI, M. NIGRO, C. VOCI: Fisica, Volume I, EdiSES, Napoli;
G. VANNINI: Gettys Fisica 1 - Meccanica e Termodinamica V ed., McGraw-Hill, Milano.

SECOND PART
Given the generality of the basics of error theory, every university text containing the same is acceptable. However, the following text is recommended: J. R. TAYLOR: Introduzione all'analisi degli errori. Lo studio delle incertezze nelle misure fisiche. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Additional reading:
M. LORETI: Teoria degli Errori e Fondamenti di Statistica, Edizioni Decibel-Zanichelli 1998 (freely and legally available on Internet at the site: http://wwwcdf.pd.infn.it/labo/INDEX.html )
The expected method of verification of learning is divided into three tests by mandatory passing: written exam, oral exam, laboratory test. The final grade will take into account the results achieved in the three tests.

The written test consists of a series of exercises, related to the first part of the program reported in the "Contents" section, to be solved numerically, justifying the methods used for the solution. This test aims to verify that the students have acquired the concepts presented during the lessons and know how to apply them with consistency in order to solve problems. The written exam can be substituted by passing two intermediate written tests, scheduled one towards the middle and the other at the end of the course. The duration of the written test is two hours (one hour each, in the case of the two intermediate tests). During each written test only the use of a scientific calculator is allowed: it is therefore not allowed to use notes, books, electronic supports, ...

The oral exam consists of a series of questions concerning both parts of the program reported in the "Contents" section: the students must in this way demonstrate both the learning of the topics taught in class and the ability to expose them in a formal manner. The oral exam lasts about 30 minutes and must be positively sustained within one month after the end of the exam in which the written test was passed, on a date to be agreed with the teacher. The judgment obtained in the oral test will integrate (in positive or negative) the written test score.

The laboratory test is subject to mandatory participation in both laboratory experiences. It consists in the drafting of a scientific report concerning the experimental measurements made in the laboratory, which must report the description of the experimental approach adopted, the processing of the collected data, the final result (including uncertainty) of the measured physical quantity. In this way one evaluates the students' ability to deal with experimental and practical problems, to correctly process a set of experimental data, to report his/her work in writing in a formal manner. The report is evaluated with a grade between -3 and +3, which will be added to the final grade of the other two tests (written and oral). The report must be delivered at the latest a few days before the oral exam.
Teaching is organized in:
a) lectures, including problem-solving exercises;
b) two laboratory experiences in which the students, working in groups of 3 people, carry out the collection of experimental data and subsequent processing. For both laboratory experiences there is a compulsory attendance, under penalty of the lack of possibility to pass the relative part of the exam.

In the "moodle" platform of the University teaching material (exam texts, slides shown in the classroom) can be found.
Italian
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
written and oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development

Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 15/06/2020