The Particle Explosion - Softcover

Close, Frank; Marten, Michael; Sutton, Christine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198539991 ISBN 13: 9780198539995

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1994

Synopsis

The Particle Explosion is a spectacular illustrated tour of the subatomic world, the first book to describe to the general reader how the study of basic particles over the last hundred years has led us closer to an understanding of the origins of the Universe. This journey to the heart of matter opens with an introduction to the basic particles (a subatomic "zoo" that includes quarks, electrons, leptons, 'strange' particles and 'charmed' particles) and of the methods used to create and investigate them. The even-numbered chapters tell the story of their discovery, from the first experiments with X-rays and the elucidation of the nature of the atom, to the great machines that today smash particles together at enormous energy levels. The odd-numbered chapters describe the major particles in more detail. With over 300 fascinating illustrations, the book brings together many historical photographs of leading scientists in the field, the increasingly vast and complex equipment they use (bubble chambers, accelerators and modern electronic detectors), and the striking images of tracks produced by the particles themselves.
Detailing in readable, jargon-free language the new vistas particle physics has opened--from the approach to a Grand Unified Theory of matter to the detection of art forgeries--this book is must reading for anyone who hopes to understand more about the brave new world of modern science.

About this title

About the Author

About the Authors:
Frank Close is Senior Principal Scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and is the author of Introduction to Quarks and Partons (1979). Michael Marten is the author of The New Astronomy (Oxford, 1984). Christine Sutton, a Research Associate in the Department of Nuclear Physics at Oxford University, is also the author of he Particle Connection (1984) and Building the Universe (1985).

From Library Journal

The largest atom is too small to be seen with even the finest microscope. Nevertheless, particle physicists study the constituents of atoms, objects that are far, far smaller. This book describes these strange objects, the people who have studied them, and the mechanisms that are used to find them. The fine text material is accompanied by an outstanding array of color photographs, including pictures of tracks left by subatomic particles in bubble chamber and electronic chamber detectors. There are clear descriptions of how these photographs can be interpreted that will convince even the most skeptical. A visually arresting work, the best book on modern particle physics for the layperson this reviewer has seen. Harold D. Shane, Mathematics Dept., Baruch Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0198539991
• ISBN 13: 9780198539995
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 239