The 10 ECTs Course is proposed to students of Physical Engineering, of Electronic and Communication Engineering and of Computer Engineering. Aim of the course (1st semester, 2nd year) is to provide the theoretical concepts to be used in all courses of the following semesters. This is therefore a pivotal course for the ensuing career.
The course is divided in two sections:
- 1st part (6 ECTs-Electromagnetism and Optics), in which fundamental subjects of basic physics are treated, such as: electromagnetism and the Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves properties, physical optics, interference and diffraction. THIS PART IS for PHYSICAL ENGINEERING, for ELECTRIC and COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING and for COMPUTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS.
- 2nd part (4 ECTs-Introduction to Modern Physics), in which the subjects involve: the crisis of classical mechanics, the transition to the fundaments of modern physics, with emphasis on quantum physics and its implications in terms of methods and practice. THIS PART IS ONLY for PHYSICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS.
The Course is proposed to students of Physical Engineering (06KXWOD, 10 CFU), of Electronic and Communications Engineering (14KXWLP, 8 CFU) and of Computer Engineering (02KXWLM, 6 CFU).
The course is divided in three parts:
- 1st part (6 ECTs-Electromagnetism and Optics), in which fundamental subjects of basic physics are treated, such as: electromagnetism and the Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves properties, physical optics, interference and diffraction. THIS PART IS for PHYSICAL ENGINEERING, for ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING and for COMPUTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS.
- 2nd part (2 ECTs-Introduction to Modern Physics), in which the subjects involve the wave-particle dualism, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, the Schrodinger Equation, and some hints on electrons in solids. THIS PART IS for PHYSICAL ENGINEERING and for ELECTRONIC and COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING STUDENTS. t
- 3rd part (2 ECTs-Introduction to Modern Physics), in which the subjects involve an introduction to special relativity and the transition to the fundaments of modern physics, with emphasis on quantum physics and its implications in terms of methods and practice. THIS PART IS ONLY for PHYSICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS.
FOR THE 1st PART:
- Knowledge of the basic principles of electrostatics and magnetostatics, of time-dependent electric and magnetic fields, of the Maxwell's equations, of the wave optics and of the electromagnetic waves
- Ability to apply these knowledges to solve simple problems.
FOR THE 2nd PART:
- Preliminary knowledge of laws and principles of quantum mechanics, and of the electronic properties of solids
- Ability to solve elementary problems of quantum mechanics
Aim of the course (1st semester, 2nd year) is to provide the theoretical concepts to be used in all courses of the following semesters. This is therefore a pivotal course for the ensuing career.
- Basic physics (mechanics, thermodynamics)
- Basic mathematics and geometry
- Basic physics (mechanics, thermodynamics)
- Basic mathematics and geometry
- 1st PART (6ECTs):
ELECTROSTATICS (1 ECT) Static electric field in matter: conductors. Capacitance and capacitors. Energy density of the electric field. Dielectric materials: electrical polarization. Electric current. Conduction. Current intensity and current density. Direct current (DC). Resistance. Ohm’s law. Resistivity and conductivity. Electric power. Joule effect.
MAGNETOSTATICS (1,5 ECTs) Magnetic field and magnetic induction. Second Maxwell’s equation. Force on a charge moving in a magnetic field: Lorentz’s force. Magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor. Sources of magnetic field. Field of a straight current-carrying conductor: Laplace’s law, and its applications. Magnetic field of a circular current loop. Magnetic dipole. Torque on, and potential energy of, a magnetic dipole in a magnetic field. Forces between parallel currents. Ampère’s law and its applications. Magnetic fields in matter: diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism.
TIME-DEPENDENT ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (2 ECTs) Faraday – Henry – Lenz law of electromagnetic induction and its applications. Third Maxwell’s equation. Inductance and self-inductance. Energy in an R-L circuit. Energy density of the magnetic field. Ampère-Maxwell law: fourth Maxwell’s equation.
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (1.5 ECTs) Wave equation for electric and magnetic field. General characteristics of a wave. Electromagnetic waves. Propagation and attenuation of the electromagnetic waves in conductors and dielectrics. Wave optics. Interference, electromagnetic waves interference and its applications. Diffraction: the basic principles. Fraunhofer’s theory of a double slit interference and of a single slit diffraction. Polarization of light: the basic principles.
2nd PART (4 ECTs):
PHOTONS: e.m. radiation, blackbody radiation, photoelectric emission, stationary states
PARTICLES: the dualism particles and wave packets, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, electrons in the double-slit experiment,
SCHRODINGER: Wave function and probability density, Schrodinger equation, applications and exercises on the stationary Schrodinger equation, finite potential well, 3D potential box, the harmonic oscillator, potential barrier penetration.
QUANTUM MECHANICS: Operators, eigenvalue equation, the time dependent Schrodinger equation, the angular momentum operators: L2 and Lz, the rigid rotator, the hydrogen atom
INTRODUCTION TO SOLIDS: periodic potentials, the electron gas model, electrons in solids, the reciprocal space, Bloch’s theorem, dynamics (velocity and acceleration as a function of k), effective mass.
- 1st PART (6ECTs):
ELECTROSTATICS (1 ECT): Static electric field in matter: conductors. Capacitance and capacitors. Energy density of the electric field. Dielectric materials: electrical polarization. Electric current. Conduction. Current intensity and current density. Direct current (DC). Resistance. Ohm’s law. Resistivity and conductivity. Electric power. Joule effect.
MAGNETOSTATICS (1,5 ECTs): Magnetic field and magnetic induction. Second Maxwell’s equation. Force on a charge moving in a magnetic field: Lorentz’s force. Magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor. Sources of magnetic field. Field of a straight current-carrying conductor: Laplace’s law, and its applications. Magnetic field of a circular current loop. Magnetic dipole. Torque on, and potential energy of, a magnetic dipole in a magnetic field. Forces between parallel currents. Ampère’s law and its applications. Magnetic fields in matter: diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism.
TIME-DEPENDENT ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (2 ECTs): Faraday – Henry – Lenz law of electromagnetic induction and its applications. Third Maxwell’s equation. Inductance and self-inductance. Energy in an R-L circuit. Energy density of the magnetic field. Ampère-Maxwell law: fourth Maxwell’s equation.
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (1.5 ECTs): Wave equation for electric and magnetic field. General characteristics of a wave. Electromagnetic waves. Propagation and attenuation of the electromagnetic waves in conductors and dielectrics. Wave optics. Interference, electromagnetic waves interference and its applications. Diffraction: the basic principles. Fraunhofer’s theory of a double slit interference and of a single slit diffraction. Polarization of light: the basic principles.
2nd PART (2 ECTs):
PHOTONS: e.m. radiation, blackbody radiation, photoelectric emission, stationary states
PARTICLES: the dualism particles and wave packets, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, electrons in the double-slit experiment,
SCHRODINGER: Wave function and probability density, Schrodinger equation, applications and exercises on the stationary Schrodinger equation, finite potential well, 3D potential box, the harmonic oscillator, potential barrier penetration.
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS: The time dependent Schrodinger equation, simple examples
INTRODUCTION TO SOLIDS: periodic potentials, the electron gas model, electrons in solids, the reciprocal space, Bloch’s theorem, dynamics (velocity and acceleration as a function of k), effective mass.
3rd PART (2 ECTs):
QUANTUM MECHANICS
Class exercises concern with simple problem solving activities, in strict correlation with the previous theoretical lectures. In some cases scientific calculators (students' personal property) may be required.
The course is divided in theoretical lessons and exercises with simple problem solving activities, in strict correlation with the previous theoretical lectures. In some cases scientific calculators (students' personal property) may be required.
Slides, videos and other interactive materials will be used.
Exercises to be solved at home (both individually and in groups) will be proposed.
All the didactic material will be available on the didactic portal.
1st PART suggested textbooks in English:
* Giancoli, Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics: Pearson New International Edition, 4/E
* Alonso-Finn: Fundamental Physics, vol. II , Young and Freedman: University Physics with Modern Physics, Ed. Addison-Wesley, Halliday, Resnick, Krane: Physics, vol.2, Ed. Wiley, and many others: Fishbane, Tippler, Cutnell….
1st PART suggested textbooks in Italian:
* Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, FISICA vol. 2, ed. EdiSes, Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, Elementi di Fisica, Elettromagnetismo e onde, ed. EdiSes
2nd PART suggested textbooks:
* Alonso-Finn: University Physics, vol. III, Quantum and Statistical Physics, ed. Addison-Wesley
* Singh: Introduction to Modern Physics. International Publishers
1st PART suggested textbooks in English:
* Giancoli, Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics: Pearson New International Edition, 4/E
or also: Alonso-Finn Fundamental Physics, vol. II; Young and Freedman University Physics with Modern Physics, Ed. Addison-Wesley; Halliday, Resnick, Krane Physics, vol.2, Ed. Wiley, and many others: Fishbane, Tippler, Cutnell….
1st PART suggested textbooks in Italian:
* Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, FISICA vol. 2, ed. EdiSes
or also: Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci, Elementi di Fisica, Elettromagnetismo e onde, ed. EdiSes
2nd and 3rd PART suggested textbooks:
* Alonso-Finn: University Physics, vol. III, Quantum and Statistical Physics, ed. Addison-Wesley
* Singh: Introduction to Modern Physics. International Publishers
For all the 3 parts slides and videos of the lessons will be available on the portal, however reading and studying the textbooks have to be considered absolutely necessary in order to pass the exam.
Slides; Esercizi; Esercizi risolti; Video lezioni tratte da anni precedenti; Materiale multimediale ;
Lecture slides; Exercises; Exercise with solutions ; Video lectures (previous years); Multimedia materials;
E' possibile sostenere l’esame in anticipo rispetto all’acquisizione della frequenza
You can take this exam before attending the course
Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale obbligatoria;
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;
...
The goal of the exam is to test the knowledge of the candidate about the topics discussed during the course’s lectures.
The written exam consists of two steps:
1. multiple choice test, duration 30”, from 5 to 10 questions, minimal mark 15/30
2. two problems and one open questions, duration 1h30”, minimal mark 15/30
3. a (brief) oral part for the final assessment.
The two problems and the open questions will concern the 10 ECTs program for Physical Engineering Students, and the 6 ECTs program for ECE and Computer Engineering students.
IMPORTANT: SYLLABUS, LIST OF FORMULAS and TABLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE WRITTEN EXAMS. All the requested numerical data for the solution of the exercises will be given in the classroom. Students can use ONLY a POCKET CALCULATOR.
Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;
The goal of the exam is to test the knowledge of the candidate about the topics discussed during the course’s lectures.
The written exam consists of two steps:
1. multiple choice test, duration 30”, from 5 to 10 questions, minimal mark 15/30
2. two problems and one open questions, duration 1h30”, minimal mark 15/30
The two problems and the open questions will concern the 10 ECTs program for Physical Engineering Students, and the 6 ECTs program for ECE and Computer Engineering students.
IMPORTANT: SYLLABUS, LIST OF FORMULAS and TABLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE WRITTEN EXAMS. All the requested numerical data for the solution of the exercises will be given in the classroom. Students can use ONLY a POCKET CALCULATOR.
It is necessary to get 15points in the written part for being admitted to the oral.
Oral is MANDATORY, it consists in the discussion of the written test, and in questions concerning the developed program. It has a duration of 15-30 minutes.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.