The Particle Odyssey: A Journey to the Heart of the Matter

From Library Journal
Incorporating much new material, this revised version of the authors' The Particle Explosion (1987) details the history of particle physics, expounds the "state of the art" as it now stands, and points to some of the unanswered questions that are now beginning to be addressed. Both Close and Christine Sutton are professional physicists at Oxford University, and Michael Marten is a science photographer and journalist. Their well-written text succeeds in explaining complex scientific concepts for lay readers without oversimplifying them or patronizing the audience. The color illustrations are dazzlingly attractive and complement the text. Captions on the bubble chamber photos are a great help in unraveling the particle interactions shown. This superb explication of fundamental physical science is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.Jack W. Weigel, Ann Arbor, MI Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Boasting more than three hundred illustrations, the majority in full color, The Particle Odyssey takes us on an exhilarating tour of the subatomic world. The pictures here are truly marvelous--over 100 of the best images ever taken of particle 'events'--mysterious, abstract, often beautiful photographs of the tracks of subatomic particles as they speed, curve, dance, or explode through cloud and bubble chambers, stacks of photographic emulsion, and giant multi-element detectors. There are illustrations of spiraling 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. Complementing the illustrations is a vividly written account of the key experiments and fundamental discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the nature of the universe. There are individual portraits of all the major subatomic particles, from the electron to the newly discovered 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 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 questions that face physicists today--Where did antimatter go? What is dark matter? Can there be a theory of everything? A perfect gift for science buffs, The Particle Odyssey will enthrall everyone eager for a glimpse into the previously unknown the world of the atom.

Book Info
Includes more than 300 hundred illustrations in full-color. Takes us on an exhilarating tour of the subatomic world. Beautiful photographs of the tracks of subatomic particles as they speed, curve, dance, or explode through cloud and bubble chambers. A perfect gift for science buffs.


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Incorporating much new material, this revised version of the authors' The Particle Explosion (1987) details the history of particle physics, expounds the "state of the art" as it now stands, and points to some of the unanswered questions that are now beginning to be addressed. Both Close and Christine Sutton are professional physicists at Oxford University, and Michael Marten is a science photographer and journalist. Their well-written text succeeds in explaining complex scientific concepts for lay readers without oversimplifying them or patronizing the audience. The color illustrations are dazzlingly attractive and complement the text. Captions on the bubble chamber photos are a great help in unraveling the particle interactions shown. This superb explication of fundamental physical science is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.-Jack W. Weigel, Ann Arbor, MI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.


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