Constructing Reality
Quantum Theory and Particle Physics

Essential guide to the world of particle physics, providing background to the bold ideas and challenges faced by physicists today.

John Marburger (Author)

9781107004832, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 July 2011

296 pages, 47 b/w illus.
23.5 x 16.1 x 2.2 cm, 0.58 kg

'Constructing Reality should be received as more than an exposition of quantum theory and the standard model of particle physics. It is a personal and passionate statement - a 'what I believe' essay - by a distinguished physicist with a lifelong love of physics and a deep commitment to public service. In that context, the book succeeds and is a pleasure to read.' Kannan Jagannathan, Physics Today

Questions of the fundamental nature of matter continue to inspire and engage our imagination. However, the exciting new concepts of strings, supersymmetry and exotic matter build on ideas that are well known to physicists but mysterious and puzzling to people outside of these research fields. Covering key conceptual developments from the last century, this book provides a background to the bold ideas and challenges faced by physicists today. Quantum theory and the Standard Model of particles are explained with minimal mathematics, and advanced topics, such as gauge theory and quantum field theory, are put into context. With concise, lucid explanations, this book is an essential guide to the world of particle physics.

1. The nature of things
2. Matter and motion in space and time
3. Reality large and small
4. The language of nature
5. More is different
6. The machinery of particle discovery
7. The Standard Model
8. The proliferation of matter
9. Epilogue: beneath reality
Appendix
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Particle & high-energy physics [PHP], Nuclear physics [PHN], Physics [PH], Mathematics & science [P]