FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS

Module FISICA

Knowledge and understanding abilities:

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.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding abilities:

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.

Should the course be delivered in a blended or remote learning mode, necessary adjustments may be made to the above-mentioned methods in order to ensure the planned syllabus is fully covered.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current regulations, students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on learning objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to refer to the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or learning disorders)

If conditions require teaching given in a hybrid mode or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what previously stated in order to comply with the program.

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, though strongly advised.

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


Alternatively:

Fondamenti di fisica”, D. Halliday, R. Resnik, J. Walker, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana

·       
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 vote follows the following scheme:

Negative:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills

Use of references: just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: ability of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently

Using references: Use standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed 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

Before memorizing formulas, the student must have a solid understanding of fundamental definitions and the physical meaning of the concepts covered. It is essential to be able to make connections between different topics in the course and recognize possible analogies (e.g., the various forms of Newton's second law).

The student is not expected to rely solely on memorization but must be able to clearly explain the concepts learned.

The student should also be able to correctly identify and handle scalar and vector quantities, convert between different units of measurement, and graphically represent physical phenomena (such as the motion of bodies).

Examples of questions:

1)    Motion of bodies;

2)    Newton’s law;

3)    Physical properties of fluids;

4)    Temparature and heat;

5)    Laws of thermodynamics.