Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics

by Alessandro Bettini

The Standard Model is the most comprehensive physical theory ever developed. This textbook conveys the basic elements of the Standard Model using elementary concepts, without the theoretical rigor found in most other texts on this subject. It contains examples of basic experiments, allowing readers to see how measurements and theory interplay in the development of physics. The author examines leptons, hadrons and quarks, before presenting the dynamics and the surprising properties of the charges of the different forces. The textbook concludes with a brief discussion on the discoveries of physics beyond the Standard Model, and its connections with cosmology. Quantitative examples are given, and the reader is guided through the necessary calculations. Each chapter ends in the exercises, and solutions to some problems are included in the book. Complete solutions are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9781107406094.

Genres: Physics, Reference, Science

442 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Alessandro Bettini è professore emerito di Fisica all’Università di Padova e ricercatore sperimentale nella fisica delle particelle elementari. Vicepresidente della Società Italiana di Fisica, per sei anni direttore del Laboratorio Nazionale del Gran Sasso e in precedenza vicepresidente dell’Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare.

Reviews

[Angie Reisetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing the 2nd edition of the book, mostly for my own records since this isn't a common goodreads kind of book. I've taught particle physics to undergrads a few times and have never been happy with the book I use (not this one yet), so I keep changing it up and I'm still on the hunt. This one seems to hit a good balance between theory and experiment -- I've tried books on the extremes and always have to supplement with the other. This looks like it doesn't need much supplementation, but still manages to be a manageable length and depth. Chapter 1 introduces all the basics, everything from special relativity review to matrix elements and cross sections. It's probably going to take 3 weeks just to address that chapter. Feynman diagrams aren't introduced until chapter 5, on QED. It's amazing how far he gets without them. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are the heart of the book, on QED, QCD, and then weak interactions. It seems thorough without being overlong, clear without being terse, and the problems look like good ones. This will probably be my next choice for the course.