This supplement to the" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Physics" presents the most recent data on particle physics, a field that has seen many important breakthroughs since the publication of the parent set
For the general reader, Fritzsch (theoretical physics, U. of Munich, Germany) explains elementary particles, specifically the discoveries of scientists concerning electrons and atomic nuclei, the quan
This is a first-hand account of one of the most creative and exciting periods of discovery in the history of physics. From 1960 until 1990 theoreticians and experimentalists worked together to probe deeper and deeper into the basic structure of reality, moving closer and closer to an understanding of the ultimate building blocks from which everything in the Universe is made. Gerard 't Hooft was closely involved in many of the advances in the development of the subject. In this book he gives a personal account of the process by which physicists came to understand the structure of matter, and to speculate on possible directions in which the subject may evolve in the future. This fascinating personal account of the last thirty years in one of the most dramatic areas in twentieth century physics will be of interest to professional physicists and physics students, as well as the educated general reader with an interest in one of the most exciting scientific detective stories ever.
This is a first-hand account of one of the most creative and exciting periods of discovery in the history of physics. From 1960 until 1990 theoreticians and experimentalists worked together to probe deeper and deeper into the basic structure of reality, moving closer and closer to an understanding of the ultimate building blocks from which everything in the Universe is made. Gerard 't Hooft was closely involved in many of the advances in the development of the subject. In this book he gives a personal account of the process by which physicists came to understand the structure of matter, and to speculate on possible directions in which the subject may evolve in the future. This fascinating personal account of the last thirty years in one of the most dramatic areas in twentieth century physics will be of interest to professional physicists and physics students, as well as the educated general reader with an interest in one of the most exciting scientific detective stories ever.
The Higgs boson is the rock star of fundamental particles, catapulting CERN, the laboratory where it was found, into the global spotlight. But what is it, why does it matter, and what exactly is CERN?
Quarks are the main constituents of protons and neutrons and hence are important building blocks of all the matter that surrounds us. However, quarks have the intriguing property that they never appea
Imagine physics as a community full of wacky characters--the building blocks of the universe each with a unique personality. This book throws open the doors and welcomes you into their amazing world.
This introduction to creative nonfiction examines the building blocks of nonfiction prose one by one, illustrating how individual voice and narrative strategies delineate this literary form from conve
Our understanding of galaxies, the building blocks of the Universe has advanced significantly in recent years. New observations from ground- and space-based telescopes, the discovery of dark matter, and new insights into its distribution have been instrumental in this. This textbook provides graduate students with a modern introduction to the gravitationally determined structure and evolution of galaxies. Readers will also benefit from detailed discussions of the issues involved in the process of modeling complex stellar systems. Additionally, the text provides an accessible framework for interpreting observations and devising new observational tests. Based on the author's extensive teaching experience, this second edition features an up-to-date view of basic phenomenology, a discussion of the structure of dark halos in galaxies, the dynamics of quasi-relaxed stellar systems and globular clusters, galaxies and gravitational lensing and an introduction to self-gravitating accretion disk
Superstring theory is one of the most exciting and actively pursued branches of physics today. The far-reaching claims made for this theory would, if correct, provide the much sought-after Theory of Everything, the unification of physics. It would enable the fundamental building blocks of matter to be identified and amalgamated in a common description, with a unified theory of all the forces of nature. This book explains the theory for laymen, in an introduction to the subject which originated in the BBC Radio programme, Desperately Seeking Superstrings. A clear, concise, non-mathematical explanation of the theory and its profound implications is followed by transcripts of interviews with all the most important physicists involved in its development. Superstrings makes a fascinating topic at the forefront of modern scientific research accessible to physicists, philosophers and general readers alike.
It's the ultimate technology: nanotechnology—the attempt to build ordinary objects from the atoms up, molecule by molecule. So named because its building blocks are the smallest pieces of matter, nano
A primer on the evolution of particle physics and the search for the fundamental building blocks of matter, this book presents the full current body of understanding of particle physics in a way that
This book is a popular introduction to modern natural science and provides an insight into the advanced and expensive technology that is required in the exploration of the universe too small for the eye to see. This is the domain of the living cell, and even smaller, the basic building blocks of all matter: quarks, atoms and molecules. It is possible with modern technology to obtain images of objects as small as an individual atom. It is even possible to hold one atom in place and study it individually. This book will explain, in non-technical language, how we obtain our knowledge of the micro-universe. With the help of many clear diagrams, it goes on to describe the structure of living cells, of atoms and molecules as they are found in everyday objects, as well as in more exotic and dramatic forms of matter, such as anti matter, stars and black holes.
From Black Holes and Big Bangs to the Higgs boson and the infinitesimal building blocks of all matter, modern science has been spectacularly successful, with one glaring exception — intelligence. Inte
From Black Holes and Big Bangs to the Higgs boson and the infinitesimal building blocks of all matter, modern science has been spectacularly successful, with one glaring exception — intelligence. Inte
This book is a popular introduction to modern natural science and provides an insight into the advanced and expensive technology that is required in the exploration of the universe too small for the eye to see. This is the domain of the living cell, and even smaller, the basic building blocks of all matter: quarks, atoms and molecules. It is possible with modern technology to obtain images of objects as small as an individual atom. It is even possible to hold one atom in place and study it individually. This book will explain, in non-technical language, how we obtain our knowledge of the micro-universe. With the help of many clear diagrams, it goes on to describe the structure of living cells, of atoms and molecules as they are found in everyday objects, as well as in more exotic and dramatic forms of matter, such as anti matter, stars and black holes.
This book describes the theory of electroweak interactions, starting from a level understandable to students with only a first degree in physics. This theory, the Glashow–Salam–Weinberg (GSW) model, unifies the weak and electromagnetic forces of nature and gives a detailed description of the interactions between quarks and leptons, the basic building blocks of matter. The various experimental tests of the model that have been made and that are planned are described in detail, with reference to the fact that all results obtained so far are in agreement with the model. The interactions of quarks by the strong force, the theory of quantum chromodynamics, are also discussed. The GSW model, together with quantum chromodynamics, constitute the so-called 'standard model'. Theories proposing further unification of the forces of nature are outlined. This is a rapidly moving subject, and this up-to-date book will be of great value to researchers and beginning graduate students in high energy phy
This brand-new series highlights some of the major contributions women have made in the world of science.What shapes our planet? Women have been answering the question for centuries on many levels. Scientists such as Marie Curie have investigated the building blocks of matter, and the physical forces that act upon them. Geologists have studied the rocks beneath our feet by venturing dangerously close to erupting volcanoes, and have figured out what lies at Earth’s center and why its surface moves as it does. Women have also led the way in exploring the planet’s atmosphere and the causes and effects of climate change, the most urgent problem scientists are trying to solve. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions.
This brand-new series highlights some of the major contributions women have made in the world of science.What shapes our planet? Women have been answering the question for centuries on many levels. Scientists such as Marie Curie have investigated the building blocks of matter, and the physical forces that act upon them. Geologists have studied the rocks beneath our feet by venturing dangerously close to erupting volcanoes, and have figured out what lies at Earth’s center and why its surface moves as it does. Women have also led the way in exploring the planet’s atmosphere and the causes and effects of climate change, the most urgent problem scientists are trying to solve. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions.
European chemists and other scientists explore some of the possibilities for biological matter to be substituted for petroleum as building blocks for chemicals and fuel, and for sustainability to be i