99477 - Physics

Learning outcomes

The successful student is familiar with the laws of physics, including the bases of thermodynamics, electrical forces and magnetism. The student is able to solve simple physical problems.

Course contents

This course focuses on fundamental and applied physics relevant to genomics and molecular biology. In addition to an in-depth review of high school physics, students will explore how the properties of living systems emerge from atomic interactions. The course also covers the relationship between thermodynamics and the kinetics of intermolecular interactions, with applications to biological systems.

1. Measurement and Mathematical Foundations
• Units, conversions, and dimensional analysis
• Orders of magnitude and significant figures
• Errors and uncertainty in measurements
• Review of calculus; Taylor expansion
• Probability and statistics fundamentals

2. Mechanics and Motion
• Scalar and vector quantities; vector operations
• Reference frames and motion description
• Velocity, acceleration, and equations of motion
• Free fall and projectile motion
• Circular motion: angular velocity, angular acceleration, centripetal force
• Newton’s laws of motion
• Work, power, and energy conservation
• Momentum and conservation laws
• Elasticity: Hooke’s law, harmonic motion, and oscillations

3. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• Thermal equilibrium and temperature scales
• Thermal expansion and heat transfer
• Ideal and real gases; kinetic theory of gases
• Internal energy, heat, and work; Joule’s experiment
• First law of thermodynamics; phase transitions (fusion, vaporization)
• Second law of thermodynamics; entropy and free energy
• Brownian motion and diffusion; Fick’s laws
• Statistical mechanics and molecular interactions

4. Electricity and Magnetism
• Electric charge and Coulomb’s law
• Electric field and potential; Gauss’s theorem
• Capacitance and dielectrics
• Electric current, resistance, and Ohm’s law
• Joule heating and circuit elements (series and parallel resistors/capacitors)

5. Biophysics and Applications to Molecular Biology
• Intermolecular forces and binding constants
• Chemical kinetics and reaction rates
• Foundations of polymer physics; properties of biopolymers (proteins, DNA)
• Computational and experimental methods in modern biophysics

Readings/Bibliography

Halliday, Resnick & Walker, Fundamental of physics, Wiley

Teaching methods

Lectures and tutoriala

Assessment methods

Written exams

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Paci