Antimatter
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Review
This compact book is a wonderful source of information on antimatter and offers us a meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and applications of the often overlooked entities in the fantastic antiworld around us. (Chemistry World )
A meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and application of the ...antiworld around us. (Dennis Rouvray, Chemistry World )
...worth reading for its beautifully concise history of one vital aspect of twentieth-century particle physics (Mark Ronan, Times Literary Supplement )
His prose is clear, the concepts always understandable, his analysis always insightful. (Mark Greener, Fortean Times )
Beautifully written..This book will inspire a sense of awe in even the most seasoned of physics readers. (Amanda Gefter, New Scientist )
This is a must read for fans of science and science fiction alike. (Dr John Gribbin, www.bbcfocusmagazine.com )
A meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and application of the ...antiworld around us. (Dennis Rouvray, Chemistry World )
...worth reading for its beautifully concise history of one vital aspect of twentieth-century particle physics (Mark Ronan, Times Literary Supplement )
His prose is clear, the concepts always understandable, his analysis always insightful. (Mark Greener, Fortean Times )
Beautifully written..This book will inspire a sense of awe in even the most seasoned of physics readers. (Amanda Gefter, New Scientist )
This is a must read for fans of science and science fiction alike. (Dr John Gribbin, www.bbcfocusmagazine.com )
Product Description
Antimatter explores a strange mirror world, where particles have identical yet opposite properties to those that make up the familiar matter we encounter everyday; where left becomes right, positive becomes negative; and where, should matter and antimatter meet, the two annihilate in a blinding flash of energy that makes even thermonuclear explosions look feeble by comparison. It is an idea long beloved of science-fiction stories - but here, renowned science writer Frank Close shows that the reality of antimatter is even more fascinating than the fiction itself. We know that once, antimatter and matter existed in perfect counterbalance, and that antimatter then perpetrated a vanishing act on a cosmic scale that remains one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Today, antimatter does not exist normally, at least on Earth, but we know that it is real for scientists are now able to make small pieces of it in particle accelerators, such as that at CERN in Geneva. Looking at the remarkable prediction of antimatter and how it grew from the meeting point of relativity and quantum theory in the early 20th century, at the discovery of the first antiparticles, at cosmic rays, annihilation, antimatter bombs, and antiworlds, Close separates the facts from the fiction about antimatter, and explains how its existence can give us profound clues about the origins and structure of the universe.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book acts as a perfect introduction to not just the world of antimatter, but also something of particle physics.
Close begins by discussing the legend of antimatter. A bizarre group of particles, often finding their way into Science Fiction, yet antimatter is real, it can exist, despite being annihilated on contact with matter. Close debunks what is false, and introduces the reader to the reality of antimatter, and the accompanying particle physics. A far from simple feat, having read several books previously which left me puzzled by Feynman diagrams, or simply what the particles are, Close takes a slower, gentler approach and succeeds in making the whole subject easily accessible.
The appendixes are very interesting too, offering some deeper insights into Antimatter, although some mathematical understanding may be necessary and can be left.
Close begins by discussing the legend of antimatter. A bizarre group of particles, often finding their way into Science Fiction, yet antimatter is real, it can exist, despite being annihilated on contact with matter. Close debunks what is false, and introduces the reader to the reality of antimatter, and the accompanying particle physics. A far from simple feat, having read several books previously which left me puzzled by Feynman diagrams, or simply what the particles are, Close takes a slower, gentler approach and succeeds in making the whole subject easily accessible.
The appendixes are very interesting too, offering some deeper insights into Antimatter, although some mathematical understanding may be necessary and can be left.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Thought provoking, informative and entertaining..a great little book. Especially liked the small section on the Dirac code...clearest explanation I have seen. A great example that truth is stranger then fiction when it comes to physics..the real stuff is even weirder than the pseudo-science..
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Books which attempt a popular review of a highly specialized subject are notoriously difficult to write. The experts will find little in them that is new, and the general reader will encounter much that is obscure and baffling.
This having been said, Frank Close has done a creditable job presenting the subject of anti-matter.
I personally was intrigued by some technical facts cited (eg anti-protons can be cooled with electrons) and amused by several popular explanations (eg How a space explorer should communicate with super-intelligent inhabitants to ascertain that their territory is not made of anti-matter: a wise precaution before attempting to land.)
An excellent book. I am glad to have it.
This having been said, Frank Close has done a creditable job presenting the subject of anti-matter.
I personally was intrigued by some technical facts cited (eg anti-protons can be cooled with electrons) and amused by several popular explanations (eg How a space explorer should communicate with super-intelligent inhabitants to ascertain that their territory is not made of anti-matter: a wise precaution before attempting to land.)
An excellent book. I am glad to have it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Close to perfect..........!!!
Frank Close is such a good writer. His work is clearly written, carefully crafted and full of illustrative examples to help the reader gather a fuller picture of what is, for many... Read more
Published 1 month ago by franfromivegill
Excellent
A perfect introduction to antimatter, complex points are well explained, good if you want to start reading popular science. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jack
Clear introduction to the subject
This book although a bit short to my taste is a very good start on the subject. It does not only deal with antimatter but also some other fields of physics. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Eric le rouge
One of the best physics books I have ever read!
I am a 17 year old student, currently doing my A levels.
I found this book extremely well written, every single detail was easily understood. Read more
I found this book extremely well written, every single detail was easily understood. Read more
Published 9 months ago by LOLittlehero
good value for a quality item
very happy with the service. had it as a gift for my geek brother, got it faster when i expected.
Published 9 months ago by Silvija
The subatomic particles of matter and antimatter
Antimatter by Frank Close, Oxford University Press, 2009, 176 ff.
The subatomic particles of matter and antimatter
By Howard Jones
This is another book... Read more
The subatomic particles of matter and antimatter
By Howard Jones
This is another book... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dr. H. A. Jones
Stunning insights from one of the top popularisers of physics
Frank Close is probably the best popular physics writer today. Provides a wealth of insight, going beyond the positron and anti-proton and looking at all the particle zoo. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Robert Shaw
A fascinating insight
First of all, I don't often write reviews despite reading many books. However, I felt I had to for this book; this alone should give the potential reader an insight into how good... Read more
Published 12 months ago by L Beniston
Mandatory book about antimatter in a high energy physics world
This is a nice little book about antimatter. Some may ask if one could write a whole book just about antimatter, but Frank Close does it well. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Thomas Ellegaard
Student Perspective
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure that anybody with a keen mind for physics would. Only a very basic knowledge is required to understand the science behind it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hyperactivemarshmellow
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