Course Details for A.Y. 2016/2017

The information on this page refer to the academic year 2016/2017. Therefore, several links are not available and data may be incomplete. To read the current information on the course, if it is still available, go to the university course catalogue . To read information relating other academic years, use the list at the bottom of this page.

A. Year:

2016/2017

Name:

Fisica / Physics

Type:

Course

Basic information

Code:

F0143

Sector:

FIS/02

Credits:

: Bachelor Degree in Computer Science 6 CFU (a)

Term:

2^nd semester

Degree(s):

Bachelor Degree in Computer Science 1^st anno curriculum General Compulsory

Language:

Italian

Teacher(s):

Massimo Vellante

Course Objectives

The goal of the course is to provide the students with knowledge of basic principles of the mechanics with particular regard to the concepts of force, energy and wave propagation; and with the ability (through classroom excercises and homeworks) to schematize a natural phenomenon, to apply the proper physical laws, and to critically evaluate the results.

Course Content

Kinematics of a point particle: motion in one and more dimensions, relative motions, vectorial composition of velocities.
Dynamics of a point particle: Newton’s laws, concept of force, weight force, constraint reaction forces, sliding friction, viscous friction, elastic force, harmonic motion, the simple pendulum, inertial and non-inertial frames of reference, fictitious forces.
Work, energy, momentum: definition of work, theorem of kinetic energy, work of the weight, work of the elastic force, conservative forces, potential energy, mechanical energy, momentum and impulse, torque, angular momentum.
Dynamics of a system of particles: external and internal forces, momentum of the system, first cardinal equation of the dynamics, isolated system and conservation of momentum, motion of the center of mass, collisions.
Gravitation: Kepler’s laws, law of universal gravitation, Cavendish experiment, gravitational potential energy, gravitational field, motion of a satellite in circular orbit, escape velocity.
Waves in elastic media: longitudinal and transverse waves, mathematical description of wave propagation, harmonic waves, D'Alembert equation, vibrating string, elastic waves in a bar and in a gas, interference, beats, standing waves, Doppler effect.

Learning Outcomes (Dublin Descriptors)

On successful completion of this course, the student should

have acquired a good knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts in Physics and a method of logical and rigorous approach to a physical problem.
be able to schematize a natural phenomenon and to apply correctly basic physical laws to solve simple problems in mechanics.
be able to choose the proper model to describe a physical phenomenon and be aware of the degree of approximation adopted.
be able to communicate in a simple but rigorous way the acquired knowledge in Physics to other colleagues as well as to non-experts.
be able to understand other topics in General Physics not covered in this course.

Prerequisites and Learning Activities

Algebraic calculus, trigonometry, mathematical analysis (functions, derivatives and integrals).

Assessment Methods and Criteria

The exam consists in a written test (or two intermediate written tests) and an oral examination.

Textbooks

P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro, C. Voci, Elementi di Fisica, Meccanica e Termodinamica , EdiSES.
Serway & Jewett, Principi di Fisica, Volume 1 , EdiSES.

Internet Resources

Teaching material:

Teaching material available on the external website ftp://geosp-server.aquila.infn.it/Vellante/fisica_per_informatica/.

Course page updates

This course page is available (with possible updates) also for the following academic years:

To read the current information on this course, if it is still available, go to the university course catalogue .

Course information last updated on: 10 dicembre 2014, 17:07