2017/2018

2019/2020

DM270

FIS/08 (DIDACTICS AND HISTORY OF PHYSICS)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

PHYSICS

PERCORSO COMUNE

3°

2nd semester (02/03/2020 - 12/06/2020)

6

48 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

DE AMBROSIS VIGNA ANNA (titolare) - 6 ECTS

Basic knowledge of mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism, such as are provided by the courses of the Bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics.

Main aims of the course are: (i) giving students an insight into fundamental concepts of special relativity and classical statistical physics; (ii) developing their attitude in solving problems; (iii) analysing research papers on the teaching-learning of the considerd topics.

The first part of the course deals with special relativity with a geometrical approach. The topics covered include: The invariant interval; the idea of the reference system in free fall as inertial reference system; the local character of the inertial system; the principle of relativity; the relativity of simultaneity; Lorentz contraction and the twin paradox; the proof of the invariance of the interval; Lorentz transformations; the representation of events in space-time and world-lines; regions of space-time; momenergy: invariance, conservation and consequences; mass of a particle system: creation of particles, fission, fusion annihilation. In second part of the course statistical physics is introduced. Contents of this part are: basic probability concepts; statistical description of systems of particles; thermal interaction; canonical distribution in the classical approximation; Maxwell distribution, equipartition theorem and its application, specific heath of solids. Students are required to solve problems and exercises on the various topics and to participate in the discussion of some of them.

The course includes lectures; group work for problem solving; presentations by the students and discussion of papers dealing with particular topics considered in the course. Students are asked to solve problems as home-work, some of which are then discussed in class.

E.Taylor e J.Wheeler (1992) Spacetime Physics, Freeman and Company;
F. Reif (1965) Statistical Physics, McGraw-Hill;
M.W. Zemansky, Heat and Thermodynamics, McGrow-Hill.

Oral examination: student’s conceptual comprehension of the main issues dealt with in the two parts of the course is tested through different questions and the solution of simple problems. Particular attention is devoted to identify students’ critical attitude in dealing with different topics and their communication skills.

Oral examination: student’s conceptual comprehension of the main issues dealt with in the two parts of the course is tested through different questions and the solution of simple problems. Particular attention is devoted to identify students’ critical attitude in dealing with different topics and their communication skills.