Course contents: Kinematics: Motion in one dimension (position, distance, displacement, velocity, acceleration, particle under constant velocity, particle under constant acceleration, free fall); Motion in two and three dimensions (position, displacement, velocity and acceleration vectors, motion in two dimensions with constant acceleration); projectile motion; circular motion. Dynamics: The concept of force; Newton’s laws; forces of friction; centripetal force; momentum; angular momentum; principle of conservation of momentum; torque. Work and Energy: Work of a constant force; work of a variable force; kinetic and potential energy; mechanical energy; principle of conservation of energy; power. Universal Gravitation: Newton’s law of universal gravitation; acceleration due to gravity and gravitational force; Kepler’s laws; gravitational potential energy; escape speed. Oscillations: Simple harmonic motion; energy of a simple harmonic oscillator; the pendulum. Waves: Propagation of disturbances; traveling waves; transverse velocity and acceleration; energy and power; propagation speed; wave equation; reflection and transmission of pulses; wave interference; superposition of sinusoidal waves; standing waves; sound waves.Optics: Nature and propagation of light; Compton effect; reflection; refraction; mirrors; thin lenses.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Describe and explain, giving examples the basic principles of mechanics, wave physics and optics
• Correlate physical and mathematical models for the description of physical phenomena
• Analyze and solve basic problems in physics by applying suitable techniques
• Apply description models to real-world problems of Informatics and telecommunications

Assessment: Written exams at the end of the semester. It is possible that intermediate written exams will take place, contributing to the final grade with a percentage of 10%–30%.