Physics and Statistics

Module Physics

The course is aimed to provide the students with the basic elements of some physics topics and to describe the methods of physics applied to biological data. At the end of the course, the students will be able to schematize a phenomenon in terms of physical quantities. The students will apply the scientific method to the study of natural phenomena and will be able to critically evaluate similarities and differences between physical systems.

Knowledge and understanding: the students will acquire knowledge of the laws governing kinematics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermology and electromagnetism.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student swill be able to evaluate and describe quantitatively the physical phenomena in the areas covered by the study program.

Ability of making judgements: the students will develop autonomy of judgement and critical sense for the correct interpretation of physical phenomena.

Communication skills: the students will acquire the ability to describe physical phenomena with property of language, and to provide an adequate interpretation of them.

Learning skills: the students will acquire adequate cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge and will be able to access the literature specialized in the field of physics applied to biological systems.

The teaching method is based on lectures. 

Should the circumstances require online or blended teaching, appropriate modifications to what is hereby stated may be introduced, in order to achieve the main objectives of the course.
 

Course program

Introductory part: Physical quantities. SI System of Units. Scalar and vector quantities. Sum and difference between vectors. Scalar product and vector product. Versors. Notes on the theory of errors in experimental measurements. Casual errors and systematic errors.

Elements of Mechanics: Motion in one dimension. Position vector and displacement vector. Uniform rectilinear motion. Average velocity and instantaneous velocity. Average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration. Uniformly accelerated motion. Circular motion. Concept of mass and density. Force concept. Principles of dynamics. Momentum and conservation of momentum. Gravitational Force and Weight Force. Hooke's law. Work done by a force. Power. Definition of Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy. Kinetic energy theorem. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Conservation of mechanical energy. Examples and hints of applications to biomechanics.

Elements of Fluidostatics and Fluid Dynamics: Stationary motion and continuity equation. Stevin's law. Non-viscous fluids: Bernoulli's theorem. Viscous fluids: laminar and turbulent flow. Cohesion forces and surface tension in liquids.

Elements of Thermology: Laws of ideal and real gases. Temperature and heat. Mechanisms of heat transmission: convection, conduction, radiation. Phase transitions.

Elements of Electromagnetism: Properties of electric charges. Insulators and Conductors. Coulomb's law. The Vector Electric Field. Electric potential. Capacity. Electric current. Ohm's law. The magnetic field vector. Magnetic force.

Wave phenomena in biological systems: Notes on the mechanism of hearing. Notes on the mechanism of vision. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves and related biological applications.

- Introduzione alla Fisica, MIELE – PISANTI – Edises

- Elementi di Fisica, RAGOZZINO - Edises

• Operations between vectors   
  
• Uniform rectilinear motion
  
• Concepts of mass and density
• Laws of dynamics
• Work
• Kinetic energy and potential energy
• Conservative and non-conservative forces
• Law of perfect gases
• Mechanisms of heat transfer
• Coulomb's Law
• Ohm's Law
• Magnetic field properties
• Wave phenomena in biological systems