Introduzione alla fisica sperimentale: meccanica, termodinamica from Coursera

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Syllabus

Cinematica

La disciplina scientifica che tratta del moto in tutti i suoi aspetti prende il nome di meccanica, che viene suddivisa per comodità in tre branche: la cinematica (come descrivere il moto), la dinamica (capirne le cause) e la statica (come eventualmente impedirlo). Ciò che verrà presentato non è il moto di un qualsiasi corpo, bensì di un sistema semplice, il più semplice possibile: il punto materiale. Dicendo punto materiale non ci si intende riferire alle dimensioni dell’oggetto (come per il punto geometrico), ma al fatto che o si sta osservando il corpo da molto lontano relativamente alle sue dimensioni o se ne sta trascurando il moto proprio. I concetti presentati saranno quelli della posizione, della velocità e dell'accelerazione, nonché alcuni esempi di moti tra i più classici e ricorrenti nella vita quotidiana. Dopo aver descritto il moto dal punto di vista della traiettoria percorsa (cinematica scalare), lo si analizzerà come un osservatore esterno (cinematica vettoriale), cambiando prospettiva: il moto è lo stesso, ma descritto diversamente a seconda dell'osservatore.

Dinamica

Dopo aver studiato come descrivere il moto, ora si vuole conoscere quale ne sia la causa, così da sapere come crearlo o, più in generale, come modificarlo; i principi che descrivono la dinamica del punto materiale sono stati analiticamente formulati da Newton, e perciò la meccanica del punto è nota anche come meccanica classica o newtoniana. Il problema generale della dinamica consiste nel determinare il moto del punto materiale una volta noto il suo stato meccanico iniziale (posizione e velocità) e quali siano le forze in gioco. Dopo la presentazione e lo studio dei tre principi della dinamica, vengono presentate alcune delle forze che si incontrano nello studio della fisica, mostrandone l'ambito di applicazione e le loro caratteristiche.

Energia, urti, gravitazione

Dall’equazione fondamentale della dinamica del punto materiale (che è espressa in forma puntuale, descrive ciò che avviene in una precisa posizione) possiamo costruire un'espressione in forma integrale, con la quale non interessarci di ciò che avviene nelle posizioni intermedie percorse dal punto, ma studiando direttamente la posizione finale che raggiungerà. Per far questo dobbiamo introdurre il concetto di energia, molto probabilmente il concetto più importante della fisica. Si analizzano poi i sistemi di punti: se per identificare la posizione di un punto servono 3 coordinate, per N punti il numero aumenta considerevolmente nel caso in cui N sia grande (è pari a 3N). Talvolta però è più significativo (e realizzabile) avere una conoscenza complessiva del sistema piuttosto che la conoscenza di ogni singola parte che lo compone. Esempi di applicazione di queste proprietà globali verranno visti studiando i fenomeni degli urti (interazioni brevi e intense tra due punti materiali) e della gravitazione universale (responsabile sia del peso sia del moto dei pianeti nel sistema solare).

Liquidi

Alcuni corpi non si possono pensare come rigidi, in quanto costituiti da moltissime particelle in continuo movimento e la cui forma (e talvolta il volume) è dettata solamente dal recipiente nel quale sono contenuti, come i fluidi (liquidi o gassosi). Poiché i fluidi non hanno forma propria, i principi e le equazioni della meccanica non vengono applicate a singole particelle (per mezzo dei concetti di massa e forza), ma a piccole porzioni di fluido (usando i concetti di densità e pressione). Come per il punto materiale, anche per i fluidi se ne può analizzare la statica (ricordando i principi di Pascal e di Archimede) per poi passare alla dinamica che ne descrive il moto tenendo conto delle forze in gioco (per mezzo della legge di Leonardo e del principio di Bernoulli).

TERMODINAMICA

La termodinamica si occupa di studiare la relazione tra i fenomeni meccanici (visti in precedenza) e quelli termici (relativi al riscaldamento) del sistema, come nel caso di forze d'attrito; in particolare, la termologia è quella branca della termodinamica che studia la generazione e la propagazione del calore, una diversa una forma di trasferimento di energia utile a produrre i fenomeni termici. La termodinamica classica non tiene conto di come sia fatta la materia, ma cerca di derivarne le proprietà e relative leggi in base all’osservazione, senza tentare di darne una spiegazione, con un approccio empirico; nasce così ad esempio la definizione di temperatura. Come in precedenza per i liquidi ideali, verrà presentato il caso del gas ideale mostrandone le caratteristiche principali, possibili sue trasformazioni e alcune applicazioni quale l'uso in macchine termiche per la produzione di lavoro.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Esplora la meccanica e la termodinamica, argomenti fondamentali nella fisica di base

Fornisce una solida base per comprendere i concetti e le leggi fondamentali della fisica

Offre un approccio graduale allo studio della fisica, partendo dalla cinematica per poi passare alla dinamica e alla termodinamica

Include esercizi, approfondimenti ed esercitazioni per consolidare la comprensione dei concetti

Potrebbe richiedere conoscenze matematiche di base, come l'algebra e la trigonometria

Richiede un impegno costante e una dedizione allo studio

Reviews summary

Excellent physics course

This course in experimental physics receives excellent reviews, especially for students who are familiar with foundational physics concepts. The course provides clear and concise explanations of a variety of topics, including kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluids. Students report that this course is well-structured, engaging, and helpful for both review and in-depth learning.

Lectures and exercises are interesting and fun.

"Le lavagne e il modo di scrivere sono davvero avvincenti..."

Course is well-organized and easy to follow.

"Ben fatto e ben strutturato..."

"Il corso ha affrontato in modo esaustivo..."

Course is great for reviewing foundational physics.

"Excellent course on physics."

"Questo corso è ottimo..."

Professors explain concepts clearly.

"Le spiegazioni sono chiare e precise..."

"Excellent course on physics."

"Very nice MOOC with good explanations..."

Course is also valuable for deeper learning of physics.

"Il corso ha affrontato in modo esaustivo..."

"Corso molto utile ed interessante..."

Activities

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Read through the syllabus carefully.
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Review algebra and trigonometry basics

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Revisit the concepts of variables, equations, and functions in algebra.
Practice solving algebraic equations and inequalities.
Review the trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, and tangent) and their applications.
Solve basic trigonometry problems involving angles and triangles.

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Solve physics problems from previous exams

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Gather past exam papers or practice problems from textbooks.
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Check your solutions against the provided answer key or ask for guidance from your instructor.
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Find a textbook or online resource with practice problems.
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Identify the main concepts in the course.
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Participate in a physics competition

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Career center

Learners who complete Introduzione alla fisica sperimentale: meccanica, termodinamica will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. They analyze their work using the principles of motion, energy, heat, and force to ensure that designs function safely, efficiently, and reliably.

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Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design, develop, build, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They use the principles of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and propulsion to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design, develop, build, and test nuclear reactors and related systems. They use the principles of nuclear physics and engineering to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Nanotechnology Engineer

Nanotechnology Engineers design, develop, build, and test devices and systems at the nanoscale. They use the principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering to ensure that their designs are safe, effective, and reliable.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists study the structure and properties of materials, and develop new materials with improved performance. They use the principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering to understand how materials behave, and to design new materials with specific properties.

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Physicist

Physicists explore the fundamental nature of the universe, from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies. They use the principles of physics to understand how matter and energy behave, and to develop new technologies.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, develop, build, and operate chemical plants and related systems. They use the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design, develop, build, and test medical devices and systems. They use the principles of engineering and biology to ensure that their designs are safe, effective, and reliable.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, build, and test robots and related systems. They use the principles of engineering and computer science to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers design, develop, build, and test systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. They use the principles of engineering to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, build, and test electrical systems and devices. They use the principles of electricity and magnetism to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They use the principles of physics and engineering to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and reliable.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design, develop, and implement solutions to environmental problems. They use the principles of engineering and science to protect human health and the environment.

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Industrial Engineers design, develop, and implement systems and processes to improve productivity and efficiency. They use the principles of engineering and management to ensure that their designs are safe, effective, and reliable.

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Manufacturing Engineer

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