Physics M - Z

There will be lectures and examples of application on specific topics. The knowledge provided to the student enables him / her to tackle the more specific courses of the study plan; particular importance is given to the contribution of physics to the applications in the biomedical field contained in the program. At the end of the course, the student will have learned the fundamental elements of the experimental method, the basic physical laws and will have had the opportunity to know different applications of the same in fields related to the course of study. The formal correctness in the presentation of the topics covered is taken into particular consideration, in the context of the mathematical knowledge acquired by the student in previous courses.
We intend to pursue the following training objectives:
• to increase knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of physics
• increase the applicative skills relating to methodological and instrumental procedures also useful for research in the biological field
• stimulate the logical-deductive capacity

Frontal lectures and numerical examples on specific topics.

basic knowledge of mathematical analysis, geometry and trigonometry

 

Mandatory

INTRODUCTION: Physical quantities, units of measurement, significant figures, measurement error, scalar and vector quantities, operations with vectors, components of a vector and vector units.
MECHANICS: One-dimensional motions. Speed'. Acceleration. Uniformly accelerated motion. Flat motions. Parabolic motion. Uniform circular motion. Tangential and radial acceleration in a plane motion.
Strength. Laws of dynamics. Gravitational force. Motion of rigid bodies. Moment of a force. Vectorial Product. Center of gravity. Conditions of equilibrium. Levers. Static and dynamic friction. Dynamics of circular motion. Centrifugal Force.
Statics of joints. Examples of physiological levers. Hooke's law and Young's modulus. Bone fractures.
Work. Scalar product between vectors. Work of a variable force. Elastic force. Work done by a spring. Kinetic energy theorem. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Potential energy. Conservation of total mechanical energy. Moment of inertia and rotational energy. Amount of motion. Impulse theorem. Elastic and inelastic collisions. Conservation of angular momentum (outline).
FLUID MECHANICS: Density and pressure in fluids. Stevino's law. Pascal's principle. Suction cups. Hydraulic press. Archimedes' principle and floating of bodies. Scope. Continuity equation. Bernoulli's theorem. Viscous fluids. Laminar flow. Poiseuille's law. Turbulent motion. Stokes law. Viscous entrainment. Centrifugation. Cohesion. Surface tension. Laplace's law. Flotation.
Application of the continuity equation to the hydrodynamic circuit of the blood. Viscosity of the blood. Work and cardiac power. Pressure changes in the blood circuit. Aneurysm and stenosis. Sphygmomanometer. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, centrifugation.
THERMODYNAMICS: Thermometers and temperature scales, thermal expansion of solids and liquids. Ideal gases. Outlines of kinetic theory of gases. Heat and work. Specific heat. Latent heat and phase changes. Thermal conduction. Convection. Irradiation. Internal energy. First law of thermodynamics. Thermoregulation. Metabolism. Second law of thermodynamics (outline). Molecular diffusion. Osmotic pressure (outline).
ELECTROMAGNETISM: Electrical phenomena. Load. Coulomb's law. Electric field. Field of an electric dipole. Lines of force. Flux of the electric field. Gauss theorem. Applications of the Gauss theorem. Uniform electric field. Electric potential. Hollow conductor. Capacity'. Flat condenser. Capacitors in parallel and in series. Dipole in a uniform head (outline). Effect of dielectrics.
Electric current. Ohm's law. Dissipated power and Joule effect. Resistors in series and in parallel. Electromotive force. RC circuit and pacemaker. Bioelectrical phenomena. Action potential. Propagation of nerve impulses. Magnetic fields. Force acting on a charge. Solenoid. Electromagnetic induction. Faraday's law. Alternating current generator. Transformer. Defibrillator. Effects of the current. Nuclear magnetic resonance. Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves (outline).
WAVES AND OPTICS: Wave phenomena. Sound waves. Ultrasound and applications. Spectrum of electromagnetic waves. Effects on human health. Polarization. Malus's law. Lasers and applications. Reflection of light. Refraction of light. Snell's law. Light scattering. Total internal reflection. Optical fibers and endoscopes. Formations of images from mirrors and lenses. Optical microscope.

1. Principi di Fisica – Serway, Jewett - EdiSES

2. D. Scannicchio, E. Giroletti, Elementi di Fisica Biomedica, EdiSES

The exam will consist of an interview aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the subject, the problem solving ability also by carrying out exercises.

The learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.