Introduction.
The course explores basic concepts in classical mechanics and thermodynamics, with applications that require elementary vector and differential calculus. Besides acquiring these basic notions, students will develop their problem-solving skills, elaborating solution strategies and computing orders of magnitudes and numerical values for the relevant physical quantities, with the appropriate units. They will also learn to use elementary methods for the estimate of uncertainties, an essential part of the scientific method when comparing theoretical computations and experimental results.

D1 - Knowledge and understanding.

The student, at the end of the course, must know the principles and the basics of kinematics, dynamics of a material point, systems of points and rigid body, fluids and thermodynamics. He must understand the relations between the fundamental laws of the classical mechanics and the phenomena that he will later study from the engineering point of view.

D2 - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.

The student must be able to promptly solve exercises in mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics. With demonstrations and measurements carried out in the classroom, students will have to acquire basic methods of estimating the theoretical and experimental uncertainties, essential ingredients of the scientific method.

D3 - Judgment autonomy.

The student must develop the ability to set up and solve more complex problems, modeling that can describe real cases, understanding approximations, until the determination of orders of magnitude and numerical values for physical quantities, with the appropriate measurement units (SI).

D4 - Communication skills.

At the end of the course the student must be able to explain in a proper, clear and rigorous way, both in written and oral form, the main contents of mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, the solution of exercises and problems in a synthetic way, and laboratory measurements.

D5 - Learning ability.

The student must be able to independently collect information from textbooks and other material, including lessons, for the solution of problems related to mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics.

Elementary calculus (derivatives and integrals) for real functions of real variables. Trigonometry. Previous exposure to physics concepts is helpful but not strictly necessary.

An introduction to the basic concepts and experimental methods of classical physics: mechanics and thermodynamics.

1. Physical quantities, units, dimensional analysis
2. Vector Calculus
3. Particle kinematics in three dimensions
4. Newton's laws
5. Newton's gravitation
6. Work and energy, Energy conservation
7. Momentum and the motion of systems of particles
8. Static equilibrium of rigid bodies
9. Kinematics and Dynamics of rotations, general laws for the motion of systems
10. Harmonic oscillators
11. Introduction to fluids dynamics
12. Temperature and heat
13. The principles of thermodynamics

G.Cantatore, G.Vannini, L.Vitale Gettys Fisica 1 (Meccanica e Termodinamica), McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2024 (sixth edition)

Textbook chapters included in the course:
Ch. 1-19:
1. Introduction: physical quantities, units, dimensional analysis
2. Vectors
3. Particle kinematics in one and three dimensions
4. Examples of two-dimensional motions; relative motion
5. Newton's laws
6. Applications of Newton's laws
7. Newton's gravitation
8. Work and energy
9. Energy conservation
10. Momentum and the motion of systems of particles
11. Static equilibrium of rigid bodies
12. Kinematics of rotations
13. Dynamics of rotations, general laws for the motion of systems
14. Oscillations
15. Solids and fluids
16. Temperature and heat
17. The first principle of thermodynamics
18. The kinetic theory of gases
19.The second principle of thermodynamics and entropy

In additions: lectures on measurement uncertainties (transparencies available on the web site)
Accidental (statistical) and systematic uncertainties; absolute and relative uncertainties. Direct and indirect measurements; error propagation. Repeated measurements: mean value, standard deviation, standard deviation of the mean. Confidence intervals, probabilistic interpretation in the gaussian model.

Classroom lectures at the blackboard, or with a tablet, including practical demonstrations and measurements in classroom.
A laboratory activity is also foreseen, such as the experimental measurement of the acceleration of gravity g, with 5 shifts for 10 groups of 4 students per shift. Each student must write a short report.

More information is available in the official "moodle"-based web site.

The final exam consists on a written test (about two hours) and evaluation of the laboratory report which are mandatory for everyone. At the request of the student or at the discretion of the professors, there is a possibility of integration with two brief (5-10 minutes) oral questions drawn at random from a list of 100 questions available on the course's moodle website. For students attending actively the course, there are at least 2 hours of excercize sessions per week, in which both didactic exercises and written exams from past years are carried out. Further details are given at the beginning of the semester and are posted on the moodle course web site. Texts and solutions for written exams from past years are available on the same site. Examination methods and criteria may vary for older students in different conditions; also this information is made available on the web site.