
The Particle Odyssey
A Journey to the Heart of the Matter
F.E. Close(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 1. July 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-0-19-860943-8 (ISBN)
Description
During the 20th century, scientists discovered what the Universe is made of; as the 21st century begins, they are preparing experiments to find out how it came to be like this. This great adventure, which will involve a metaphorical journey back in time to within a billionth of a second of the Big Bang, is the latest stage in the quest to understand the nature of the matter that makes our Universe and the forces that govern it. "The Particle Odyssey" takes the reader on a spectacularly illustrated journey to the heart of matter. In clear, non-technical language the authors describe the key experiments and fundamental discoveries which have led to our current understanding of the origins and nature of the material universe. In this fascinating book, you will find individual 'portraits' of all the major subatomic particles, from the electron to the top quark.
The authors describe the history of experimental particle physics: its origins in the discovery of X-rays in 1895; the dissection of the atom by Rutherford and others; the unexpected revelations of the cosmic rays; the explosion of new particles in the 1950s and 60s; the discovery of quarks and the rise of the 'standard model' in the last part of the 20th century. And they also look at the great challenges that face physicists today-where did antimatter go? what is dark matter? can there be a theory of everything? and the experiments they are devising to explore them. "The Particle Odyssey" brings together and presents with style over 100 of the best images of particle 'events': mysterious, abstract, beautiful pictures of the tracks of subatomic particles as they speed, curve, dance, or explode through cloud and bubble chambers, stacks of photographic emulsion, and the giant multi-element detectors of modern experiments. Here are spiralling electrons, the tell-tale 'vees' of strange particles, matter and antimatter born from raw energy, energetic jets of particles spraying out from the decay points of quarks and gluons.
A further 250 pictures, many taken specially for this book, illustrate the laboratories, experiments, and personalities of over a century of particle physics. This superb book is a testament to the work of 'big' science and one of the great detective stories of our age.
The authors describe the history of experimental particle physics: its origins in the discovery of X-rays in 1895; the dissection of the atom by Rutherford and others; the unexpected revelations of the cosmic rays; the explosion of new particles in the 1950s and 60s; the discovery of quarks and the rise of the 'standard model' in the last part of the 20th century. And they also look at the great challenges that face physicists today-where did antimatter go? what is dark matter? can there be a theory of everything? and the experiments they are devising to explore them. "The Particle Odyssey" brings together and presents with style over 100 of the best images of particle 'events': mysterious, abstract, beautiful pictures of the tracks of subatomic particles as they speed, curve, dance, or explode through cloud and bubble chambers, stacks of photographic emulsion, and the giant multi-element detectors of modern experiments. Here are spiralling electrons, the tell-tale 'vees' of strange particles, matter and antimatter born from raw energy, energetic jets of particles spraying out from the decay points of quarks and gluons.
A further 250 pictures, many taken specially for this book, illustrate the laboratories, experiments, and personalities of over a century of particle physics. This superb book is a testament to the work of 'big' science and one of the great detective stories of our age.
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
General reader with an interest in the origins of the universe, physicists and physics students.
Edition type
New edition
Illustrations
line drawings, halftones, num. col. photographs, 10 Tabellen
10 tables, numerous colour photographs, halftones and line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 292 mm
Width: 219 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-19-860943-8 (9780198609438)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2004
1st Edition
Oxford University Press, UK
€5.99
Available for download
Persons
FRANK CLOSE, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, MICHAEL MARTEN, Science Photo Library, London, and CHRISTINE SUTTON, Department of Physics, University of Oxford
Content
1. The world of particle physics; 2. Voyage into the atom; 3. The structure of the atom; 4. The extraterrestrials; 5. The cosmic rain; 6. The challenge of the big machines; 7. The particle explosion; 8. Colliders and image chambers; 9. From charm to top; 10. The 'whys' of particle physics; 11. Futureclash; 12. Particles at work; Table of particles; Further reading/acknowledgements; Picture credits; Index