Physics

Knowledge of Physics and Mathematics at high-school level.

Theoretical exposition of contents on theoretical classes, including brief historical reviews and many examples of application. Students will be invited to participate in classes, exposing their suggestions and doubts, discussing the issues with colleagues and the teacher.

In the theoretical-practical classes, exercises will be solved, applying subjects taught in the theoretical classes. Critical analysis and discussion of the results obtained will be encouraged. Other exercises for autonomous study will be proposed.

In laboratory classes, students carry out practical work in small groups (2, 3 or 4 students). Carrying out experimental work confers various skills to the student, namely autonomous acquisition of knowledge in the preparation of the work; use of computer tools for data acquisition and analysis; handling materials and measuring instruments; data interpretation (including statistical analysis and error analysis); personal and interpersonal skills of relationship with group colleagues and with the teacher, namely in the critical discussion of results.

To develop knowledge and understanding in Physics, relying on high-school level knowledge and on appropriate and updated texts by international authors.
The understanding of the acquired knowledge is promoted by carrying out theoretical-practical exercises and applied in the laboratory, which develop a professional attitude towards work. The student is called to get involved in practical situations (laboratory) or theoretical-practical (written exercises) in which he must make judgments and take decisions. The subjects taught are, to a large extent, basic concepts of technical-scientific literacy, relevant to the understanding of Nature and with application in the processes of communicating ideas with a scientific basis. The carrying out of laboratory work in groups allows exercising the interpersonal exchange of ideas and the discussion of problems and solutions.

1. Unit systems and vector calculus.

S.I. fundamental quantities and units
Units derived from the S.I.
Dimensional equations.
Multiples and submultiples.
Unit systems.
Unit Conversion.
Scientific notation and significant figures.

Scalar and vector quantities.
Representation of vectors.
Analytical and graphical vector addition and subtraction.
Unit vectors.
Projection of a vector.
Vector product and dot product.
Mixed product of 3 vectors.

2. Rotational dynamics

Kinematics – Translation and rotational movement. Relationship between linear and angular quantities. Uniform circular motion (periodic). Evenly varied circular motion.

Newton’s 2nd Law of Rotation. Torque. Total torque. Moment of inertia. Movement of an object that rolls without sliding.

Work and energy: Work; power; kinetic energy of translation and rotation; potential energy; mechanical energy.

Conservation of angular momentum.

3. Electromagnetic phenomena and technical applications:

Introduction to electromagnetism. Charge. Currents. Fields.

Electric field created by point charges. Overlap principle. Coulomb’s Law. Electric force, electric potential and electrostatic energy of point charges.

Electrical induction in conductor systems. Capacitors.

Parallel-plate capacitor. Relationship between tension and electric field. Relationship between electric field and surface charge density. Capacity. Dielectric constant. Association of capacitors in series and in parallel. Stored energy.

Movement of charges within an electric field. Variation of electrical potential energy and variation of kinetic energy. Conservation of mechanical energy.

Electric current. Ohm’s Law.

Relationship between current and charge. Resistivity. Dependence of resistivity on temperature. Power and energy. Power dissipated in a resistor.

Generation of magnetic field. Magnets and Electromagnets.

Biot-Savart’s Law.

Electromagnetic behaviour of materials.

Magnetic force on charges and currents. Movement of charges within a magnetic induction field.

Lorentz’s force.

Magnetic induction. Magnetic flux. Faraday’s Law. Lenz’s Law.

Self-induction. Mutual induction. Torque about a turn within a magnetic field. DC Motor. Induction motor.

Ideal transformer.

Electromagnetic radiation. Poynting vector.

4. Geometrical optics.

Reflection. Flat mirrors and concave and convex spherical mirrors.

Refraction. Snell’s Law. Apparent depth. Scattering. Total reflection.

Thin lenses. Lens Manufacturers Equation. Power of a lens. Lens association.

Optical instruments: eye, magnifying glass, microscope and telescope.

Association of optical elements.

Laboratory work:
Rotational dynamics.
Magnetic forces between fields and currents.
Thomson tube.
Measurement of the speed of light and optical distanciometry.

NAO

Recommended

Physics for scientists and engineers, volume 1, 5th edition, Mosca and Tipler.
Physics for scientists and engineers, volume 2, 5th edition, Mosca and Tipler.
Physics, F. J. Bueche e E. Hecht.
Several notes written by the teacher.