GENERAL PHYSICS

General Physics is a fundamental course of the BSc and MSc programs in Environmental Sciences and enables students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the main concepts of Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electromagnetism, while also developing the ability to apply logical-deductive reasoning.

The objectives of the course are:
1) understanding the physical laws underlying Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electromagnetism;
2) solving problems through the application of physical laws;
3) developing formal physical–mathematical rigor.

1. To know and understand the main laws of classical physics concerning kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
2. To be able to use the learned physical laws and concepts to solve theoretical and practical problems.
3. To be able to evaluate results in terms of logical consistency, physical plausibility, numerical value, and units of measurement.
4. To be able to recognize the limits of applicability of the physical laws used in problem solving.

Concepts of differential calculus, integral calculus, and vector calculus.

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the course and its contextualization within the Degree Course. International system of units of measurement. Reference system.

KINEMATICS OF THE MATERIAL POINT
Position, speed, acceleration. Uniform rectilinear motion, uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion, circular. Motion in the plane. Radial and transverse velocity, tangential and centripetal acceleration. Angular velocity and acceleration.

DYNAMICS OF THE MATERIAL POINT
Concepts of force and mass (inertial). Newton's first law. Newton's second law. Classification of forces. Strength and weight, constraint reactions. Newton's third law. Static, dynamic, viscous friction. Elastic forces in one dimension. Simple harmonic motion. Work of a force. Kinetic energy. Kinetic energy theorem. Power of a force. Potential energy. Conservative systems: mechanical energy and its conservation. Energy balances.

DYNAMICS OF MATERIAL POINT SYSTEMS
Definition of center of mass. Theorem of motion of the center of mass. Conservation of momentum. Moment of momentum. Moment of a force. Cardinal equations of dynamics. The rigid body. Moment of inertia. Translational motion and rotational motion. Static equilibrium of rigid bodies, cardinal equations of statics.

FLUID MECHANICS
Density. Pressure. Stevino's law. Pascal's principle. Communicating vessels. Hydraulic jack. Barometer to Hg. Archimedes' principle. Motion of a fluid: Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions. Flow lines and pipes. Scope. The ideal fluids. Bernoulli's theorem. Venturi tube. Cohesion, tension, capillarity.

THERMODYNAMICS
Heat and temperature. Temperature scales. Thermal capacity, specific heat. Internal energy. First law of Thermodynamics.

ELECTRICAL FIELDS
Electric fields, electric potential

CURRENT and CIRCUITS
Resistors, Capacitors

MAGNETIC FIELDS
Fields generated by current

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Maxwell's equations

OPTICS
General description of the phenomena, interference, diffraction

- Mazzoldi Nigro Voci, Fisica Vol. I - Meccanica e Termodinamica, ed III/2023: https://www.edises.it/universitario/mazzoldi-nigro-voci-fisica-vol-i-meccanica-e-termodinamica-iii-ed-3690.html
- Mazzoldi Nigro Voci, Fisica Vol. II - Elettromagnetismo e onde, ed. III/2021: https://www.edises.it/universitario/mazzoldi-fisica-vol-ii-onde-iii-ed.html

Final written exam: exercises covering the course topics. Grading on a 30-point scale.
Permitted materials for the final exam: calculator.

written

The grade is expressed on a 30-point scale.

Classes will include both theoretical concepts and practical exercises. All teaching materials will be made available on the University’s Moodle platform.