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Product Description
Product Description
In this compelling introduction to the fundamental particles that make up the universe, Frank Close takes us on a journey into the atom to examine known particles such as quarks, electrons, and the ghostly neutrino. Along the way he provides fascinating insights into how discoveries in particle physics have actually been made, and discusses how our picture of the world has been radically revised in the light of these developments. He concludes by looking ahead to new ideas about the mystery of antimatter, the number of dimensions that there might be in the universe, and to what the next 50 years of research might reveal.
About the Author
Frank Close is Professor of Physics at Oxford University and a Fellow of Exeter College. He was formerly the Head of the Theoretical Physics Division at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and Head of Communications and Public Education at CERN. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling Lucifer's Legacy (OUP, 2000), and was the winner of the Kelvin Medal of the Institute of Physics for his 'outstanding contributions to the public understanding of
physics'. His other books include The Cosmic Onion (1983), The Particle Explosion (1987), End (1988), Too Hot to Handle (1991), and The Particle Odyssey (OUP, 2002).
physics'. His other books include The Cosmic Onion (1983), The Particle Explosion (1987), End (1988), Too Hot to Handle (1991), and The Particle Odyssey (OUP, 2002).
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First Sentence
The ancient Greeks believed that everything is made from a few basic elements. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The ancient Greeks believed that everything is made from a few basic elements. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent introduction into this fascinating subject. Starting with basic principles (such as what is matter, its constituents, what we mean by energy, and which are the physical forces in the universe), it leads the reader into the latest experiments of particle physics. This transition is done very smoothly, without confusing the reader. The book does not contain unecessary complicated information or mathematics. It is aimed at the non-specialist who has an interest in the subject and wants to comprehend a few things quickly and easily. I found this book very interesting and well written. I highly recommend it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for a clearer understanding of what the scientists at CERN are up to - or perhaps you just have an urge to know your baryon from your meson - this is the book to buy. I've read quite a few of the Very Short Introductions, on all sort of topics, and author Frank Close is to be commended for making Particle Physics one of the very best. It's concise, inspiring, crammed with facts (rather than opinions) and not so advanced as to curtail the beginner's attempt to gain a foothold. In short, it's the ideal very short introduction.
The author begins with a string of irresistible facts ("Look at the dot at the end of this sentence - its ink contains some 100 billion atoms of carbon") - exactly the kind of information that, for me at least, never fails to fascinate. This lays the groundwork nicely for what follows: one by one, Frank explains in clear layman's terms each of the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. It's all set out more clearly than I've read anywhere else, and the author is savvy enough to appreciate the reader's learning curve (as section headings like 'How do we know this?' demonstrate).
He explains the spin and charge of a quark, something that has long been a mystery to me. Pions, kaons, muons, neutrinos, strange quarks and all the other exotic-sounding ingredients of the universe are covered. Finally he ends with a chapter detailing those areas of particle physics on which scientists are hoping to shed more light - the Higgs field, antimatter, supersymmetry, and so on.
I have no criticisms at all about this excellent little book. Highly recommendeded.
The author begins with a string of irresistible facts ("Look at the dot at the end of this sentence - its ink contains some 100 billion atoms of carbon") - exactly the kind of information that, for me at least, never fails to fascinate. This lays the groundwork nicely for what follows: one by one, Frank explains in clear layman's terms each of the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. It's all set out more clearly than I've read anywhere else, and the author is savvy enough to appreciate the reader's learning curve (as section headings like 'How do we know this?' demonstrate).
He explains the spin and charge of a quark, something that has long been a mystery to me. Pions, kaons, muons, neutrinos, strange quarks and all the other exotic-sounding ingredients of the universe are covered. Finally he ends with a chapter detailing those areas of particle physics on which scientists are hoping to shed more light - the Higgs field, antimatter, supersymmetry, and so on.
I have no criticisms at all about this excellent little book. Highly recommendeded.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a great fan of this series, partially because I have found most full length books on many of the topics covered in the series are over-padded income generators. They could easily have been summarized in the manner in which this series achieves so admirably. This particular book is remarkable for its clarity as well as its conciseness. In spite of its length, it still has the power to instill wonder regarding the way the sub-atomic world is structured.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Perfect introduction
I am no physicists and so felt a small amount of trepidation prior to reading this but enjoyed it immensely. I like the authors style and believe the book was well written. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Peter
Could do better
I am not a physicist but am well educated in the biological sciences (post grad level) and felt this was not exactly a beginners guide. Read more
Published 10 months ago by eztd23
Particle Physics for the rest of us
One of the most intriguing and fascinating scientific stories of the 20th century has been the incredible advance in our understanding of matter in its most fundamental form. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
Fascinating subject, superb book
Have you ever asked yourself why are particle accelerators being built in the world in a massive (and expensive) scale, and why physicists say they are so important for the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Miguel Angel
Feels like you missed the beginning of the book
As the title of the review indicates, this book has a few flaws, nothing overwhelming or too noticeable, but the more modern concepts are a bit underexplained (even though this is... Read more
Published 17 months ago by ManInsideTheHelm
Perfect
Spot on, aimed at just the right level. Now to buy the rest of the series...
Published 21 months ago by M. Dunk
A great introduction
Of this series, this is one of the more lucidly written examples. Prof. Close has a method of drawing you into a fairly informal discussion, but with direct examples to illustrate... Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by T. West
Particle Physics:a very short introduction
Particle Physics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) A very enjoyable and concise introduction to the subject. Enjoyed it.
Published on 4 April 2010 by John D. Harman
Small and very informative, a recommended starter book
This is a rather small and thin book about A3 size. It is a great summary of the subject and despite its small size contains enough information to warrant parts of it to have a... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2010 by wet feet
serious and rewarding
I had an odd motive for updating old and restricted knowledge. My grandchild has asberger and need to learn social skills. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by Ola Winsvold
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