The main objectives of the course are three: 1. To develop in the student the conviction of the need for a deep knowledge of Physics for the different applications necessary for understanding the Earth System.2. Give the student a specific knowledge of the physical mechanisms of the interior of the planet. 3. To make the student aware of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach and the different methods useful for the study of the Earth System
teacher profile teaching materials
The Earth in the Solar System
The Earth as a Planet
Mass, density and inertia moments of the Earth
The figure and the Earth gravity
Tide and Earth rotation
Concepts on physical properties of minerals and rocks
History of Earth Magnetism
Rocks Magnetism
Earth magnetic field
Earth internal heat
Internal structure of the Earth
Fowler, C. M. R. (2005). The Solid Earth, Cambridge University Press.
Programme
Introduction the Earth Physics courseThe Earth in the Solar System
The Earth as a Planet
Mass, density and inertia moments of the Earth
The figure and the Earth gravity
Tide and Earth rotation
Concepts on physical properties of minerals and rocks
History of Earth Magnetism
Rocks Magnetism
Earth magnetic field
Earth internal heat
Internal structure of the Earth
Core Documentation
Stacey, F. D., and Davis, P. M. (2008) Physics of the Earth, Cambridge University Press.Fowler, C. M. R. (2005). The Solid Earth, Cambridge University Press.
Type of delivery of the course
Traditional teaching method in mixed modality. Some lectures are given on the blackboard, as those are dedicated to the numerical part and mathematical demonstrations, some others are given with the support of the slides for the most descriptive topics. The theoretical lessons are alternated with lessons dedicated to numerical exercises in order to verify students' learning and problem-solving capabilities.Attendance
Attending the lessons is not mandatory but it is strongly suggestedType of evaluation
The exam is conducted in an oral manner aimed at verifying the level of effective understanding of the concepts and the ability to describe both the formal aspects and the physical implications of the topics covered. The duration of the exam is approximately 45 minutes. In the first part of the exam the committee asks the student to deal with a topic of his interest among those described in the program. In the second part of the exam, the committee verifies the completeness and methodological rigor used by the student in describing the phenomenology and the physics basic principles of the Earth System.