FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS

Module FISICA

Knowledge and understanding:

The course aims to provide students with adequate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical laws governing the processes typically used in viticulture and enology. It also seeks to develop the ability to apply such knowledge and to understand basic scientific terminology.

Applying knowledge and understanding:

The course is designed to develop the ability to identify and understand the physical phenomena underlying vitivinicultural processes, and to recognize, use, and apply them in real and professional contexts.

Making judgements:

By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze problems independently and develop appropriate solutions based on the knowledge acquired.

Communication skills:

Students will acquire effective communication skills and will be able to use technical and scientific language accurately and appropriately.

Learning skills:

The course aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and methodological tools needed to independently approach, study, and understand the principles underlying the technologies and operational situations they will encounter in their professional careers.

Each topic in the syllabus is covered through classroom lectures, supplemented by practical exercises focused on the related subjects, for a total of 28 hours of face-to-face teaching.

The course is delivered with the active involvement of students.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

The basic knowledge considered useful for learning the discipline includes: algebraic calculations, basic trigonometry, geometry (including the calculation of areas and volumes of basic geometric figures, the Pythagorean theorem, angle relationships in triangles, parallel and perpendicular lines and related angles, etc.), cartesian coordinates.

Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives.

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Description of a physical phenomenon. Units of measurement and dimensional equations. Quantifying a physical quantity. The concept of error. Units of measurement in the International System (SI): time, mass, length. Prefixes. Derived units. Dimensional equations. Scalar and vector quantities. Representation of vectors in components with respect to a reference system. Basic vector operations.

MECHANICS

The concept of force. Forces and motion. Decomposition of forces. Newton’s First Law. Vector nature of forces. Newton’s Second Law. Weight of a body. Some specific forces: friction, normal reaction force. Action and reaction. Newton’s Third Law. The concept of equilibrium. One-dimensional motion. Definition of displacement, average velocity, instantaneous velocity. Average and instantaneous acceleration. Rectilinear motion with constant acceleration. Introduction to uniform circular motion. Gravitation. Newton’s Law. Gravitational potential energy. The concept of work and energy. Elastic force and work done by an elastic force (spring). Introduction to rotational motion.

FLUIDS

Definition of a fluid. Density and specific weight. Pressure. How the pressure of a fluid at rest varies in a gravitational field. Pascal’s principle. Archimedes’ principle. Stevin’s law. Continuity equation. Bernoulli’s theorem. Viscosity and viscous fluid flow. Laminar flow. Introduction to turbulent flow. Centrifugation. Surface tension. Capillarity.

HEAT AND INTRODUCTION TO THERMODYNAMICS

Definition of temperature. Triple point of water. Thermometer and calibration. Thermal expansion. Heat and temperature. Heat capacity and specific heat. Phase transitions. Latent heat. Example of latent heat. Distillation. Freeze-drying. Thermodynamic state (equilibrium). Heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. The issue of global warming. First law of thermodynamics. Reversible and irreversible transformations. Second law of thermodynamics. Reversible and irreversible processes. Entropy. Third law of thermodynamics. Entropy variation in irreversible processes.

Reference text:

·       “Fisica generale - Principi e applicazioni”, A. Giambattista, B. McCarthy Richardson, R. C. Richardson, Casa Ed. Graw Hill ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8838699364


Alternatively:

“Fondamenti di fisica”, D. Halliday, R. Resnik, J. Walker, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8808182290

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Additional teaching material for students, available on the STUDIUM platform, consists of copies of the slides presented during the lectures.

The end-of-course exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions and problems to solve. Passing the written test grants access to the oral exam. Alternatively, the student may choose to confirm the grade obtained in the written test and waive the oral exam.
The written test lasts 2 hours and consists of multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and exercises. The assessment criteria for the oral examination include the relevance of the answers, the ability to make connections between different topics, and command of language.

The evaluation follows the following scheme:

Negative:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

18-20:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level

Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair ability to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner

Using references: use of standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently

Using references: use of standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth

30-30 e lode

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: important insights

Examples of questions:

1)    Motion of bodies;

2)    Newton’s law;

3)    Physical properties of fluids;

4)    Temperature and heat;

5)    Laws of thermodynamics.