Introduction to Understandable Physics: Modern and Frontier Physics (4)

Will Winn has written {Introduction to Understandable Physics} in a building-block fashion. Accordingly, {Volume IV - Modern and Frontier Physics} builds on the classical physics of the earlier volumes. {Volume IV} begins by studying the birth of quantum physics and relativity early in the twentieth century. These concepts then apply to atomic physics, explaining the periodic table relative to quantized electron shells. Similarly, nuclear physics explores the nucleus relative to its collective shell model. Atomic and nuclear applications are examined in medicine, power production and research, along with familiar items such as smoke detectors, cell phones and bar-code scanners. Frontier physics examines both extremely small and large structures. Protons, neutrons, and many other particles can be classified into families. Each particle comprises {quarks}, which define a "genetic" family. A deeper substructure of {strings} has also been theorized but experimental confirmation is problematic. For very large structures, cosmology explores the evolution of the universe, noting that the Big-Bang projects that "the very small" and "the very large" were "one-and-the-same" in their early development. This sameness argues that the four basic forces of nature were originally indistinguishable! Our understanding of the expansion of the universe has been impacted by the discoveries of {dark matter} and {dark energy}, The expansion rate projects the ultimate destiny of the universe - a "big crunch" or continued expansion. Much is yet to be explored! Near the end of each chapter a [Simple Projects] section suggests experiments and/or field trips that can reinforce the physics covered. Some experiments are simple enough for students to explore alone, while others benefit from equipment available to physics instructors. Also {optional} text sections provide students with a deeper appreciation of the subject matter; however these are not required for continuity. Some of these optional topics can be candidates for term projects.