Overview

This work extols the beauty of the fundamental laws of nature. Clear descriptions for general science readers (without any equations) are punctuated with verses. The reader is taken on a journey through the contemporary understanding of the building blocks of nature and their interactions - the current status of that age-old, intriguing quest. The central role of symmetry is explained in a manner suitable for general science readers, and its splendour is celebrated in verse. The volume facilitates understanding of the background and significance of today's scientific discoveries in atomic, nuclear and particle physics. Many of the poems appear as interludes that reinforce the discussions as they amuse the reader, making this informative book a delight to read.

Full Product Details

Author:   William B Rolnick (Wayne State Univ, Usa)
Publisher:   World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd
Imprint:   World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 17.40cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.00cm
Weight:   0.803kg
ISBN:  

9789812380609

ISBN 10:   9812380604
Pages:   312
Publication Date:   26 May 2003
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  General ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
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Table of Contents

The journey begins: about questions and answers; the matter we know - properties and principles; the relativity of space and time; the quantum properties of nature; quantum mechanical reality; the particles of matter; the basic interactions. Particle symmetries: spacetime symmetries; internal symmetries - isotopic spin; particle flavours; a larger flavour symmetry - entrance to the land of quarks. On to the standard model and beyond: about gauge theories; the strong interaction - quantum chromodynamics; the weak interactions - the foothills; the electroweak interaction and the standard model; above and beyond - a reconstruction of the origin of the particles. The experiments -exploration and discovery: the role of experiments and experimentalists; the experimental connection; particle accelerators and detectors. (Part contents)

Reviews

.,. does a solid job of discussing the equipment by which modern physicists attempt to explore the deepest secrets of matter ?

Rolnick's book is appropriate for anyone with an interest in particle physics and might be particularly appealing to those with a literary background. The fairly extensive glossary of terms should be helpful to many readers because a large amount of rather involved and unfamiliar material is discussed. .,. does a solid job of discussing the equipment by which modern physicists attempt to explore the deepest secrets of matter ?

Author Information

William B Rolnick, a former student of Robert Serber at Columbia University, has been a professor of physics at Wayne State University for more than three decades. During that time, he has done significant theoretical research and written an insightful and celebrated textbook on particle physics. A premier teacher at that university, he was awarded the highly prestigious President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1999, the only recipient from the College of Science in that year. Professor Rolnick is also a professionally trained operatic bass baritone; he is a soloist with The Metropolitan Singers, and has also given many solo recitals in the Detroit area. His understanding of song has been adapted to the creation of the poetic aspects of the present work.

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