15968 - Physics and Mathematics

Learning outcomes

The course introduces some base elements of classical mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, with the relative methodologies and applications in the fields of physiology, biology and chemistry. In addition, at the end of the course, the student acquires a basic math knowledge, needed for future courses.

Course contents

Physics. Measurement of a physical quantity. Unit of measurements. Systems of units. Experimental errors. Significant figures. Vectors and vectorial algebra. The forces. Newton's laws. The moment of a force. Static equilibrium. The levers. Friction. Rectilinear and circular motion. Uniform motion and uniformly accelerated motion. Energy. Power. Kinetic and potential energy. Conservation of energy. Elasticity of materials and Hooke's law. Density. Pressure. Hydrostatic pressure. Surface tension. Capillary phenomena. Continuity equation. Bernoulli's theorem. Poiseuille's law. Reynold's number. Sedimentation and centrifugation. Diffusion phenomena. Thermal equilibrium. Temperature. Law of gases. Heat. Specific heats. The first principle of thermodynamics. Real gases. Change of phase. Latent heats. Propagation of heat. Mathematics. Introduction: Sets. Real numbers. Functions and their graphs, composite and inverse functions. Analytical Geometry: Equations of lines and circles in the plane. Elementary functions: powers with rational and real exponent. Logarithmic functions.  Trigonometric functions. Limits and Derivatives: the intuitive concept of limit and related theorems. Definition of the function derivative at a point and of the tangent. Points of maximum and minimum.

Readings/Bibliography

Fisica:
Desmond M. Burns, Simon G.G. MacDonald - Ed. Zanichelli (Bologna)
Principi di fisica - Ezio Ragozzino - Ed. EdiSES (Napoli)
Electronic exercises book available from the web page: http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser
Mathematics: 
Massimo Bergamini, Anna Trifone, Graziella Barozzi: Elementi di Matematica; Edizioni Zanichelli. Volums:
S+L  Equazioni, disequazioni e funzioni+ geometria analitica;
O+Q Gognometria + trigonometria;
U   Funzioni e limiti;
V+W  Derivate e studio di funzioni+Integrali;

Teaching methods

Lectures and samples of problems using the electronic exercise book.

Assessment methods

Physics:
1 hour and half written exam of 6 exercises, regarding the course contents. The exam is passed whether 3 exercises are correctly carried out, also taking into account the correct exercise pieces.
Mathematics:
1 hour and 20 minutes written exam consisting of 2 parts:
*) multiple choice tests;
*) two exercises.
They are regarding the main program arguments, i.e. elementary functions plots, maximum and minimum points calculation and a theoretical question.

The final evaluation, which requires the 2 exams both passed, is their average.

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, PC, projector. Tutors will carry out preliminary lessons to allow all students to acquire the same basic knowledge at the beginning of the courses.
Physics: for the contents see the web page http://www.bo.infn.it/ctf/eser 
Mathematics: notes and tests on the page http://www.dm.unibo.it/~cagliari/

Links to further information

http://ishtar.unibo.it/rovelli/hp.html

Office hours

See the website of Tiziano Rovelli

See the website of Francesca Cagliari