An Introduction to Particle Physics and the Standard Model

by Robert Mann

An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics familiarizes readers with what is considered tested and accepted and in so doing, gives them a grounding in particle physics in general. Whenever possible, Dr. Mann takes an historical approach showing how the model is linked to the physics that most of us have learned in less challenging areas. Dr. Mann reviews special relativity and classical mechanics, symmetries, conservation laws, and particle classification; then working from the tested paradigm of the model itself, Those who work through the material will develop a solid command of the basics of particle physics. The book does require a knowledge of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and electromagnetism, but most importantly it requires a hunger to understand at the most fundamental why things exist and how it is that anything happens. This book will prepare students and others for further study, but most importantly it will prepare them to open their minds to the mysteries that lie ahead. Ultimately, the Large Hadron Collider may prove the model correct, helping so many realize their greatest dreams … or it might poke holes in the model, leaving us to wonder an even more exciting that the answers lie in possibilities so unique that we have not even dreamt of them.

Genres: Science, Physics

614 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Josh Issa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Okay so Rob Mann went chapter by chapter through the textbook in lecture form. So did I read it all explicitly? No. Did I go through all the of the content in it? Yes.

It’s a very nice introduction to particle physics, but it’s extremely dense and does not do a great job of helping you through once you hit quantum chromodynamics. Is some of that my fault? Yeah. Is some of that the Standard Model’s fault for being complicated? Yeah. Is some of that Rob Man’s fault for not explaining dense mathematics? Yeah.

EDIT: he gave me a good grade so this is now 3.5 stars

[Grace Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful book overall. Makes some technical compromises in order to present the full Standard Model in an undergraduate course. References are useful for extra context.