Università Roma Tre

Contents of Physics and Physics Education program

The roots of science. Pre and post-Galilean science. Physics as a tool for investigation of the microcosm and the macrocosm. General discussion of the great questions of physics of the atomic, nuclear and sub ​​nuclear and Cosmology. Ties between the nuclear sub Physics and Astrophysics. Role of physical culture for future generations. Physical quantities. Measurement of a physical quantity. Relation between Mathematics and Physics. Mathematics as natural language of Physics. Experimental Physics and Theoretical Physics. Elements of calculus, the concept of function, role in Physics. Concept of limit and derivative. Experimental method, structure, meaning, importance, limits. Law and theory. Functions. Representation of the physical laws in a Cartesian plane. Vectors. Elementary algebra in geometric shape. Vectors in Cartesian form. Operations in Cartesian form. Concept of error in physics. Types of error. Elements of the theory of propagation of errors. Statistical significance of the laws of physics. From the experimental data to the physical law. Mathematical methods to derive a law. Criteria for analysis of the reliability of a law. Physics imperfect matter that allows us to understand the perfection of the 'Universe. Elements of Statistics, importance in the study of a physical phenomenon. Concept of dimension of a space and its generalization. Euclidean space and the phase space. Dimensional analysis, role and significance. Elements of algebra of dimensional analysis. Classical Physics and Modern Physics.
The birth of great ideas: Galileo, Newton, Gauss, Einstein, Noether, Lagrange, Hamilton, Schroedinger.
Mechanics: Elements of kinematics of mono, bi, n-dimensional. Kinematic parameters. Kinematic equations. Reference systems. Inertial reference systems. Plane motions: ballistic problem. Kinematics roundabout. Elements of Dynamic. The principles. Historical analysis of the thought of Galileo and Newton. Second law of dynamics, its role in physics. Beauty and mystery of Newton's second law, what can make us understand. Physics as a quest for simplicity. Simple applications of Newton's law. Harmonic oscillator, its role. Elements of Statics. Equilibriuim concept. Mechanical work. Potential energy and kinematics. Principle of conservation of mechanical energy. Role of energy in the study of a physical system. Momentum. Reformulation of Newton's second law as a function of momentum, consequences. Conservation of momentum. Meaning of a conservation principle. Work on the physics of the rigid body. Concept of moment of a force. Angular momentum. I and II cardinal equation. General problem of statics, translational and rotational equilibrium. Theory of universal gravitation the greatest achievement of the intellect. Galilean relativity, special relativity, conceptual approach and notes on the analytical treatment. Elements of statics and dynamics of fluids.
Thermodynamics: Macroscopic and microscopic approach. Temperature concept. Thermodynamic system. Perfect gas, its role. Thermodynamic state. State variables. Concept of reversible and irreversible transformation. Equation of state of ideal gas. Plan Clapeyron role and significance. Reversible transformations particular, isobaric, isochoric, isothermal, adiabatic. Experience of Joule. Thermodynamic work. Concept of state function, role in thermodynamics. First law of thermodynamics, historical analysis and conceptual. Internal energy of a thermodynamic system parameters on which it depends. Simple applications. Thermodynamic cycle. Second law of thermodynamics, meaning. Efficiency of a heat engine. Carnot cycle and its importance. Entropy and its physical meaning. From the Carnot cycle to the Clausius equation.
Electromagnetism: historical and epistemological analysis. Electrostatics. Coulomb force. Concept of field, what it is. Electric field and gravitational field. Flow concept. Equation of Gauss, which is his contribution. Electric potential. Concept of electric current. Elementary circuits. Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws. Magnetic properties of matter. Magnetic field. Relationship between electric current and magnetic field. Magnetic force. Ampere's law. Gauss's law for the magnetic field. Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Maxwell's equations, role in the study of electromagnetic phenomena. Concept of the electromagnetic field. Electromagnetic waves and their propagation.Wave phenomena. Mechanical waves. Electromagnetic waves. Elements of geometrical optics and physical optics.
Modern physics: Elements of relativistic kinematics. Elements of quantum mechanics. Elements of Atomic Physics. Elements of Nuclear Physics. Radioactivity. Elementary particles and their interactions.
Astrophysics and Cosmology: Introduction stellar evolution. Elements of Cosmology. Story of the Universe. The cosmic background radiation. The great problems of modern physics. From physics of subatomic particles to the physics of the universe. The future of Science and string theory.
Physics Education: Theoretical Background Research in Physics Education. Physics teaching in primary school. Simple laboratory experiments on the fundamental themes of the course for primary school. The laboratory notebook. Evolution of research in Physics Education. Evaluation of scientific expertise.

Arnold B. Arons, Guida all’insegnamento della Fisica, Zanichelli, Bologna (alcuni capitoli)
D. Allasia, V. Montel, G. Rinaudo, La Fisica per maestri, Ed Cortina, Torino (alcuni capitoli)
M. Gagliardi, E. Girolamo, Metodi e strumenti per l’insegnamento e l’apprendimento della Fisica, EdiSES, Napoli
Dispense fornite dal docente durante il corso