Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics

by Alessandro Bettini

The second edition of this successful textbook is fully updated to include the discovery of the Higgs boson and other recent developments, providing undergraduate students with complete coverage of the basic elements of the standard model of particle physics for the first time. Physics is emphasised over mathematical rigour, making the material accessible to students with no previous knowledge of elementary particles. Important experiments and the theory linked to them are highlighted, helping students appreciate how key ideas were developed. The chapter on neutrino physics has been completely revised, and the final chapter summarises the limits of the standard model and introduces students to what lies beyond. Over 250 problems, including sixty that are new to this edition, encourage students to apply the theory themselves. Partial solutions to selected problems appear in the book, with full solutions and slides of all figures available at www.cambridge.org/9781107050402.

Genres: Physics, Reference, Science

490 pages, Kindle Edition

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.