FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS AND MACHINESModule FISICA
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: ANDREI ALBERT MESINGERExpected Learning Outcomes
The student is required to achieve the following specific skills:
- know how to apply dimensional analysis;
- know how to apply vector math to real-world problems;
- be able to solve problems relating to kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies;
- know the fundamentals of electromagnetism and physics of fluids;
In particular, the student should achieve the following broad objectives:
- Knowledge and understanding: Understanding of fundamental physical concepts and principles.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: Application of basic physical concepts to simple problems and real-world situations.
- Making judgements: Ability to interpret physical phenomena and assess simple quantitative and qualitative results.
- Communication skills: Ability to clearly communicate basic physical concepts, reasoning, and results.
- Learning skills: Ability to independently acquire and develop basic knowledge of physics.
Course Structure
The course (3 CFU) includes 7 hours of lectures and 28 hours of other activities, primarily guided exercises.
Lectures and exercises are mainly conducted using PowerPoint presentations, which will be provided to the students after the lesson.
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
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives.
Detailed Course Content
1 – Introduction
State of a physical system and physically meaningful quantities; Elements of statistics and error theory.
2 – Vector calculus
Reference frames and coordinate systems; Vectors as geometric entities; Vectors in physics and their use in two- and three-dimensional space; Component decomposition; Unit vectors; Vector addition; Dot product and cross product; Multiplication of a vector by a scalar; Applications.
3 – Mechanics
Description of the motion of a body; Reference frames; Principle of inertia; Newton’s second law; Newton’s third law; Conservation of momentum; Force fields; Work done by a force; Work–energy theorem; Conservative fields; Potential; Conservation of mechanical energy.
4 – Fluid mechanics and electromagnetic phenomena
Properties of fluids; Fluid statics; Ideal fluids and Bernoulli’s theorem; Electric charges and Coulomb’s law; Electric fields and their sources.
Textbook Information
All lecture notes and other materials will be provided in class.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | slides |
| 2 | Vector math | slides |
| 3 | Mechanics | slides |
| 4 | Fluid mechanics | slides |
| 5 | Electromagnetism | slides |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
An in-term exam is scheduled, which is not mandatory, to be held after the completion of the teaching portion of the course (the date will be announced in advance during the course). The score obtained, if higher than 18/30, will be proposed as the final grade. If the student does not accept the grade or does not reach a score of 18/30, they may take a written exam at the first available exam session.
Voto | Italiano | Inglese |
Non idoneo | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: significative carenze e imprecisioni Capacità di analisi e sintesi: irrilevanti, frequenti generalizzazioni Utilizzo di referenze: completamente inappropriato | 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 | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: molto modesto, imperfezioni evidenti Capacità di analisi e sintesi: appena sufficienti Utilizzo di referenze: appena appropriato | Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate Use of references: just appropriate |
21-23 | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza poco più che sufficiente Capacità di analisi e sintesi: discreta capacità di analisi e sintesi, argomenta in modo logico e coerente Utilizzo di referenze: utilizza le referenze standard | Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner Using references: use standard references |
24-26 | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza buona Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha buone capacità di analisi e di sintesi buone, gli argomenti sono esposti coerentemente Utilizzo di referenze: utilizza le referenze standard | 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 | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza più che buona Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha notevoli capacità di analisi e di sintesi Utilizzo di referenze: ha approfondito gli argomenti | 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 | Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza ottima Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha notevoli capacità di analisi e di sintesi Utilizzo di referenze: significativi approfondimenti | Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: important insights |
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- A cannon fires a projectile with an initial speed of v0=50 m/s. Calculate the firing angle of the cannon that gives the maximum range and determine the value of the range.
- Calculate the pressure exerted by the weight of a body made of aluminum in the shape of a cube, whose edge measures 10 cm, resting on one face on a horizontal surface.