Customer Reviews

The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter (Science Essentials (Princeton Hardcover))

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Though I am a particle physicist in my profession I might have read dozens of popular books on this subject and related subjects. The one thing that is very clear when reading this book is that there is no attempt to hide anything behind the carpet. Nir and Quinn challenge themselves by trying to explain very difficult terms like "matter fields","energy functions" and "vacuum energy" without over simplifying them, like is done in most popular books on this subject. Whether they succeed in their mission or not I am not capable to say. However, I think with its beautiful cartoons and its thorough explanations this book is trying to aim at both the layman and the more advanced reader; each one can pick whatever from the book and understand it on a different level. If you consider yourself an intelligent reader I can guarantee this book is telling only the truth, no shortcuts. This book is a manifestation of the wise man saying: things should be simple but not simpler than that. Thats the book. Highly recommended for both the novice and the pro.

In short, a very frustrating book. It's supposed to make particle physics accessible to the lay reader, but it doesn't take any steps to truly do so. No glossary of terms. No summary charts of the various particles. As for pictures? Apparently the authors decided that the reader would have no problem visualizing particle decay (and all its various colors and handedness and charges and spins), but needs a picture of a man balancing a broom on his nose because that would be beyond our mental capability. The authors will remind you of simple ideas (they tell us multiple times that the Baryon number is quarks minus antiquarks) yet don't think you need to be reminded what W- particles are again ... of course, a glossary and chart would make repetition unnecessary.

I also think they should've put equations in the book. I can understand that they thought doing so might scare off some readers, but some of the ideas would've been easier to understand if the equation involved was reproduced.

Some of the bio of the scientists is interesting, but it's usually just a couple sentences. And I can tell the authors were earnest in their desire to convey their enthusiasm for the subject. But the lack of summary data or useful images just makes it too arduous for the casual reader. Someone who has taken several college physics courses might have better luck ... but then the lack of bibliography at the end will probably frustrate them as it makes the book an end point, not a starting point.

I really enjoyed this book a lot, I'm a little addicted to popular science books on physics and cosmology, and now of course there are many many titles to choose from, nonetheless this book has much to offer. It's very straightforward, there is not a single wasted word, it goes to the heart of the matter of matter-antimatter asymmetry and doesn't mince words in describing how mystifying the problem is, and how far from solution it still is. It's over glossed over in other quantum physics books, but because the authors here get into a lot of detail about the standard model and its asymmetries in cpt, they are able to conclusively point out that the asymmetry is still completely a mystery. It's clear some other insights beyond the standard model are required to explain it.

The book starts out with the usual reviews of cosmology, then of quantum mechanics and standard model, but these are covered very completely with a minimum of unnecessary detail. The new problems of dark matter and 'dark energy' or cosmological constant are included, plus a lot of big bang models leading to the current universe. So by reviewing what is pretty much well known we can better appreciate the mystery of why matter, no antimatter, when the laws appear to be quite symmetric. Of course in the standard model, there is asymmetry in CP violations, but it turns out that it's not enough to lead to the observed distribution of matter, it's much to small an effect.

Some speculations end the book, as to where to go to extend the standard model and explain the asymmetry, luckily they don't dwell on string theory, limiting themselves to leptogenesis and supersymmetry. It's clear that new experimental findings are crucial to get some kind of insight into where to go. This continuous emphasis on scientific work, testable theories, as opposed to philosophical style speculations is really refreshing.

I was surprised by how much insight this book was able to give a person with my background into some of the the complexities of theoretical particle physics. Yes, the book does present an interesting account of the missing anti-matter, but along the way, it covers many other fascinating related topics as well. Kudos to the authors!

An excellent update on consmology. Need some background to be totally understood.
Well written.