The module deals with the fundamentals of mechanics and fluid dynamics.
The course wants to provide Students with the capability i) to solve simple problems on the above indicated topics, making use of the acquired knowledge on mathematics, ii) to critically examine results obtained and to understand in which contexts they can be applied; 3) to transfer the acquired knowledge through a proper technical-scientific language.
High-school Physics knowledge
Classroom lectures and exercises.
Written test (during the course or at its end) and oral exam (at the end of the course).
Written test requires the solution of open answers to ascertain the knowledge of the fundamentals of mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics and magnetostatics in vacuum. The oral exam focuses on the discussion of the theoretical basis needed to solve the written test.
Fundamentals of physics – Wiley – D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker.
Principles of Physics – Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning – R.A. Serway, J.W. Jewett
KINEMATICS. Recalls on vectors. Motion in one dimension. Mean and instantaneous velocity. Mean and instantaneous acceleration. Motion with constant acceleration. Motion in two and three dimensions. Circular motion: centripetal and tangential acceleration.
DYNAMICS. Newton’s laws. Free body diagrams. Friction force. Dynamics of the uniform circular motion. Non-inertial reference frames and fictitious forces. Work. Kinetic energy. Power. Conservative force fields. Potential energy. One-dimensional conservative systems. Conservation of mechanical energy. Non-conservative forces and mechanical energy variation. Simple harmonic oscillator. Harmonic oscillator energy. Simple pendulum. Harmonic motion and uniform circular motion. Composition of harmonic motions. Damped oscillator. Damped and forced oscillator. Resonance. Mass systems. Mass centre. Linear momentum. Linear momentum conservation. Rotational kinematics. Rotational kinetic energy and moment of inertia. Moment of the force. Rotational dynamics of the rigid body. Angular momentum. Angular momentum conservation.
FLUIDS. Statics of fluids. Stevino’s law. Archimede’s principle. Pascal’s principle. Dynamics of fluids. Continuity equation. Bernoulli’s theorem.
