Particle Physics: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)

by Frank Close (Author) "The ancient Greeks believed that everything is made from a few basic elements..." (more)
Key Phrases: Big Bang, Large Hadron Collider, Brookhaven National Laboratory (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In Particles: A Very Short Introduction, best-selling author Frank Close provides a compelling and lively introduction to the fundamental particles that make up the universe. The book begins with a guide to what matter is made up of and how it evolved, and goes on to describe the fascinating and cutting-edge techniques used to study it. The author discusses particles such as quarks, electrons, and the neutrino, and exotic matter and antimatter. He also investigates the forces of nature, accelerators and detectors, and the intriguing future of particle physics. This book is essential reading for general readers interested in popular science, students of physics, and scientists at all levels.

About the Author

Frank Close is a fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, and Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, London. He has published several books, including the bestselling Lucifer's Legacy, and was the winner of the Kelvin Medal of the Institute of Physics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192804340
• ISBN-13: 978-0192804341
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,347 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Molecular Physics
  #3 in	Books > Science > Physics > Molecular Physics
  #14 in	Books > Science > Physics > Nuclear Physics > Atomic & Nuclear Physics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not boring to read, October 24, 2004

By	John Woods "TObject" (San Diego, CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This book is excellent for anyone who would like to learn fundamentals of particle physics, or refresh his or her basic knowledge in the area. Particles are on the forefront of physics, with new ones discovered or proven to exist not long ago, with new theories emerging, or old ones confirmed or found inconsistent, chances are what we know about particles today is somewhat different than what you may have learned in school back.

Interesting facts and easy to understand comparisons make this book captivating. It explains the structure of atoms, and subatomic particles, as well as methods and instruments used to study them. Sometimes the book is repetitive, but repetition is one of the key aspects of learning.

Overall, this very short introduction feels very fresh and light to a reader, and the last chapter that focuses on current high priority theories to be proven, gives an excellent outlook of what may await us in the future, giving this book balanced perspective.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars decent introduction, but needs more, May 6, 2007

By	some hoser, eh? (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

In an introduction to a topic, one expects lots of figures to explain just about every topic. This book, and indeed the entire series, generally has rather few figures. The series also, generally, focuses on the historical development of the topic and not necessarily on the current understanding of the topic. Therefore, the series sacrifices a better explanation of our current understanding to explain who thought what and when. Nonetheless, this book serves adequately in the capacity of a "very short introduction."

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good, January 8, 2005

By	dyl (toronto, canada) - See all my reviews

very good for a basic introduction to a most fasinating subject. This books takes this subject, which very intresting and wonderful, can be made terribly dry by a bad writer, and puts it forth in its true glory. I highly reconmend it to anyone whos starting out in physics, or to educators seeking a basic introduction to use in a highschool class room.