Physics I

Fundamental knowledge and competencies resulting from secondary education.

The curricular unit (CU) consists of 3 types of classes:

1. Theoretical classes, in which the contents of the UC program are exposed.
2. Problem solving classes, in which exercises are solved by applying the knowledge exposed in the theoretical classes.
3. Laboratory classes, in which experiments are carried out within the scope of the CU syllabus.

Rules of Practical Work:

1. The enrollment of students in groups (of two or three students) is done in the first week of classes, making the students aware of the timetable for carrying out the practical work.

2. Four practical assignments will be carried out
2.1.Experimental measurement of the acceleration of an object on a frictionless inclined plane, using an inclined air table;
2.2. Calibration of a dynamometer and experimental assembly of a system of concurrent forces in balance using two masses, a dynamometer and a graduated scale for angle measurement;
2.3. Experimental determination of gravity acceleration using a gravitational pendulum;
2.4. Experimental determination of the moment of inertia of: a rotational device, point masses and a cylinder.

3. Delivery of a pre-report is a necessary condition for access to the work laboratory. (Note: The pre-report can be found in the support material accessible on the course page).

4. Doubts about the practical work to be carried out and in particular about the preparation of the pre-report must be clarified in advance and in good time with the course teacher.

Goals:

• Understanding the fundamental laws of Nature in the field of Classical Mechanics.
• Assimilation of the contents described in the program.
• Application of the knowledge acquired in solving problems and interpreting results.

Skills:

• Ability to understand the theoretical concepts of physical laws and to relate them to practical situations
• Problem solving,
• Critical analysis of the results obtained.
• Autonomous acquisition of knowledge.
• Interpretation of physical phenomena.
• In the execution of laboratory work, technical skills are acquired by operating measurements instruments and interpersonal skills are acquired from the exchange of ideas and decisions taken in group.

1. Systems of Units, significant digits and uncertanty
1.1. Base units and derived units of the International System of Units;
1.2. Equations of dimensions and principle of dimensional homogeneity;
1.3. Units of the International System used in engineering;
1.4. Change of system of units.
1.5. Significant digits
1.6. Precision and accuracy;
1.7. Uncertainty propagation formula for uncorrelated variables

2. Vector Calculus
2.1. Scalars and vectors;
2.2. Graphical representation of vectors;
2.3. Bound, sliding and free vectors;
2.4. Graphical operations with free vectors: multiplication by a scalar, addition and subtraction;
2.5. Unit vectors;
2.6. Projection of a vector along an arbitrary direction;
2.7. Cartesian representation of vectors: components of a vector, position vector, module of a vector, directing cosines;
2.8. Analytical operations with vectors: multiplication of a vector by a scalar, addition and subtraction of vectors, dot
product, cross product, scalar triple product, and derivative of a vector.

3. Kinematics of Particles
3.1. Coordinate reference systems;
3.2. The notion of rest and movement;
3.3. Position, velocity and acceleration vectors;
3.4. Tangential and normal components of the acceleration vector;
3.5. One-dimensional movement laws’;
3.6. Circular motion: angular position, velocity and acceleration;
3.7. Relation between angular and linear parameters;
3.8. Bi-dimensional movement: projectiles;
3.9. Movement in three dimensions.

4. Particle Linear Dynamics
4.1. Newton’s Laws;
4.2. Principle of independence of simultaneous forces;
4.3. Directly applied, connecting and friction forces;
4.4. Linear momentum: conservation principle of linear momentum;
4.5. Impulse of a Force.

5. Rotational Dynamics
5.1. Angular momentum of a particle
5.2. Torque of a force about a point;
5.3. Torque of a force about a line;
5.4. Couple (force couple);
5.5. Conservation of the angular momentum;
5.6. Angular momentum of a rigid body: moment of inertia
5.7. Equation of the dynamics of rotation of a rigid body

6. Statics
6.1. Condition for equilibrium of a particle;
6.2. Conditions for equilibrium of a rigid body;
6.3. Free body diagrams.

7. Work and Energy
7.1. Definition of work: general case and particular cases;
7.2. Definition of power;
7.3. Kinetic energy;
7.4. Kinetic energy theorem;
7.5. Conservative forces fields: gravitational and electric;
7.6. Potential energy;
7.7. Non-conservative forces.

NAO

Paul A. Tipler, Physics for Scientists and Engineers (any edition).
– D. Halliday and R. Resnick, “Physics”, Vol. 3, Technical and Scientific Books, 1981.
– F. Sears, M. Zemansky and H. Young, “Physics”, Vol. I and II, Scientific and Technical Books, 1991.
– M. Alonso and E. Finn, “Physics”, Addison Wesley, 1999.
– Documents made available by the teacher on the Moodle platform, which include among others presentations, problem sheets and resolutions.