Download or read book Conceptual Foundations of Modern Particle Physics written by Robert Eugene Marshak and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 1993 with total page 708 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For scientific, technological and organizational reasons, the end of World War II (in 1945) saw a rapid acceleration in the tempo of discovery and understanding in nuclear physics, cosmic rays and quantum field theory, which together triggered the birth of modern particle physics. The first fifteen years (1945-60) following the war's end ? the ?Startup Period? in modern particle physics -witnessed a series of major experimental and theoretical developments that began to define the conceptual contours (non-Abelian internal symmetries, Yang-Mills fields, renormalization group, chirality invariance, baryon-lepton symmetry in weak interactions, spontaneous symmetry breaking) of the quantum field theory of three of the basic interactions in nature (electromagnetic, strong and weak). But it took another fifteen years (1960-75) ? the ?Heroic Period? in modern particle physics ? to unravel the physical content and complete the mathematical formulation of the standard gauge theory of the strong and electroweak interactions among the three generations of quarks and leptons. The impressive accomplishments during the ?Heroic Period? were followed by what is called the ?period of consolidation and speculation (1975-1990)?, which includes the experimental consolidation of the standard model (SM) through precision tests, theoretical consolidation of SM through the search for more rigorous mathematical solutions to the Yang-Mills-Higgs equations, and speculative theoretical excursions ?beyond SM?.Within this historical-conceptual framework, the author ? himself a practicing particle theorist for the past fifty years ? attempts to trace the highlights in the conceptual evolution of modern particle physics from its early beginnings until the present time. Apart from the first chapter ? which sketches a broad overview of the entire field ? the remaining nine chapters of the book offer detailed discussions of the major concepts and principles that prevailed and were given wide currency during each of the fifteen-year periods that comprise the history of modern particle physics. Those concepts and principles that contributed only peripherally to the standard model are given less coverage but an attempt is made to inform the reader about such contributions (which may turn out to be significant at a future time) and to suggest references that supply more information. Chapters 2 and 3 of the book cover a range of topics that received dedicated attention during the ?Startup Period? although some of the results were not incorporated into the structure of the standard model. Chapters 4-6 constitute the core of the book and try to recapture much of the conceptual excitement of the ?Heroic Period?, when quantum flavordynamics (QFD) and quantum chromodynamics (QCD) received their definitive formulation. [It should be emphasized that, throughout the book, logical coherence takes precedence over historical chronology (e.g. some of the precision tests of QFD are discussed in Chapter 6)]. Chapter 7 provides a fairly complete discussion of the chiral gauge anomalies in four dimensions with special application to the standard model (although the larger unification models are also considered). The remaining three chapters of the book (Chapters 7-10) cover concepts and principles that originated primarily during the ?Period of Consolidation and Speculation? but, again, this is not a literal statement. Chapters 8 and 9 report on two of the main directions that were pursued to overcome acknowledged deficiencies of the standard model: unification models in Chapter 8 and attempts to account for the existence of precisely three generations of quarks and leptons, primarily by means of preon models, in Chapter 9. The most innovative of the final three chapters of the book is Chapter 10 on topological conservation laws. This last chapter tries to explain the significance of topologically non-trivial solutions in four-dimensional (space-time) particle physics (e.g. 't Hooft-Polyakov monopoles, instantons, sphalerons, global SU(2) anomaly, Wess-Zumino term, etc.) and to reflect on some of the problems that have ensued (e.g. the ?strong CP problem? in QCD) from this effort. It turns out that the more felicitous topological applications of field theory are found ? as of now ? in condensed matter physics; these successful physical applications (to polyacetylene, quantized magnetic flux in type-II low temperature superconductivity, etc.) are discussed in Chapter 10, as a good illustration of the conceptual unity of modern physics.
Download or read book Understanding the Universe written by James B. Seaborn and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 1998 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Intended for undergraduate non-science majors, satisfying a general education requirement or seeking an elective in natural science, this is a physics text, but with the emphasis on topics and applications in astronomy. The perspective is thus different from most undergraduate astronomy courses: rather than discussing what is known about the heavens, this text develops the principles of physics so as to illuminate what we see in the heavens. The fundamental principles governing the behaviour of matter and energy are thus used to study the solar system, the structure and evolution of stars, and the early universe. The first part of the book develops Newtonian mechanics towards an understanding of celestial mechanics, while chapters on electromagnetism and elementary quantum theory lay the foundation of the modern theory of the structure of matter and the role of radiation in the constitution of stars. Kinetic theory and nuclear physics provide the basis for a discussion of stellar structure and evolution, and an examination of red shifts and other observational data provide a basis for discussions of cosmology and cosmogony.
Download or read book Conceptual Astronomy written by Michael Zeilik and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1993-01-12 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Uses an innovative, imaginative approach to the subject, stressing scientific model making. Develops concepts from the concrete to the abstract, resulting in a traditional earth to universe organization. Identifies 25 basic issues which tie astronomer's current view of the universe together. End-of-chapter summaries unite key terms to key ideas in order to reinforce their relationships for students.
Download or read book Foundations of Astrophysics written by Barbara Ryden and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-08-27 with total page 609 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book provides a contemporary and complete introduction to astrophysics for astronomy and physics majors."--
Download or read book The Conceptual Completion and Extensions of Quantum Mechanics 1932 1941 Epilogue Aspects of the Further Development of Quantum Theory 1942 1999 written by Jagdish Mehra and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2000 with total page 964 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Conceptual Physics written by and published by Little Brown. This book was released on 1985 with total page 618 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rev. ed. of: Conceptual physics--a new introduction to your environment. 4th ed. 1981.
Download or read book Theoretical Concepts in Physics written by Malcolm S. Longair and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-04-16 with total page 639 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this original and integrated approach to theoretical reasoning in physics, Malcolm Longair illuminates the subject from the perspective of real physics as practised by research scientists. Concentrating on the basic insights, attitudes and techniques that are the tools of the modern physicist, this approach conveys the intellectual excitement and beauty of the subject. Through a series of seven case studies, an undergraduate course in classical physics and the discovery of quanta are reviewed from the point of the view of how the great discoveries and changes of perspective came about. This approach illuminates the intellectual struggles needed to attain understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in physics. Longair's highly acclaimed text has been fully revised and includes new studies on the physics of fluids, Maxwell's great paper on equations for the electromagnetic field and problems of contemporary cosmology and the very early universe.
Download or read book The Conceptual Completion and the Extensions of Quantum Mechanics 1932 1941 Epilogue Aspects of the Further Development of Quantum Theory 1942 1999 written by Jagdish Mehra and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2001-06-29 with total page 956 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quantum Theory, together with the principles of special and general relativity, constitute a scientific revolution that has profoundly influenced the way in which we think about the universe and the fundamental forces that govern it. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is a definitive historical study of that scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning. Drawing upon such materials as the resources of the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics, the Niels Bohr Archives, and the archives and scientific correspondence of the principal quantum physicists, as well as Jagdish Mehra's personal discussions over many years with most of the architects of quantum theory, the authors have written a rigorous scientific history of quantum theory in a deeply human context. This multivolume work presents a rich account of an intellectual triumph: a unique analysis of the creative scientific process. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is science, history, and biography, all wrapped in the story of a great human enterprise. Its lessons will be an aid to those working in the sciences and humanities alike.||Comments by distinguished physicists on "The Historical Development of Quantum Theory":||"¿the most definitive work undertaken by anyone on this vast and most important development in the history of physics. Jagdish Mehra, trained in theoretical physics under Pauli, Heisenberg, and Dirac, pursued the vision of his youth to write about the historical and conceptual development of quantum theory in the 20th century¿This series of books on the HDQT has thus become the most authentic and permanent source of our knowledge of how quantum theory, its extensions and applications developed. My heartfelt congratulations."|-Hans A. Bethe, Nobel Laureate||"A thrilling and magnificent achievement!"|-Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"¿capture(s) precisely, accurately, and thoroughly the very essence and all the fundamental details of the theory, and that is a remarkable achievement¿I have greatly enjoyed reading these books and learned so many new things from them. This series of books will remain a permanent source of knowledge about the creation and development of quantum theory. Congratulations!"|-Paul A. Dirac, FRS, Nobel Laureate||"The wealth and accuracy of detail in 'The Historical Development of Quantum Theory' are breathtaking."|-Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate
Download or read book Conceptual Astrophysics written by Christopher Sirola and published by . This book was released on 2024-05-24 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conceptual Astrophysics is intended for introductory (non-calculus based) astronomy. It applies our understanding of physics to astronomy and highlights recent developments in the discipline. Readers are provided with a comprehensive exploration of key theories, ideas, and processes, and develop a strong base of knowledge to support further study. The text is intended to cover a two-semester sequence. The first semester includes three parts. Part 1 introduces the origins of solar system astronomy and measurements of space and time. Part II discusses the physics of motion, gravity and light. Part III is an in-depth look at the origin, organization, geology, atmospheres, and magnetic fields of the solar system, culminating with the Sun. The second semester includes two parts. Part IV introduces the origins of stellar astronomy, with another look at light, and depicts stellar life cycles from formation through destruction. Part V expands our view to the Milky Way, galaxies, cosmology, and discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Each chapter incorporates key terms, important individuals, conceptual questions, and suggested activities. The revised first edition features corrections throughout, adjusted figures, and a new chapter on the lifespans of technological civilizations. Conceptual Astrophysics is an ideal text for courses in introductory astronomy.
Download or read book An Invitation To Astrophysics written by Thanu Padmanabhan and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2006-02-07 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unique book provides a clear and lucid description of several aspects of astrophysics and cosmology in a language understandable to a physicist or beginner in astrophysics. It presents the key topics in all branches of astrophysics and cosmology in a simple and concise language. The emphasis is on currently active research areas and exciting new frontiers rather than on more pedantic topics. Many complicated results are introduced with simple, novel derivations which strengthen the conceptual understanding of the subject. The book also contains over one hundred exercises which will help students in their self study.Undergraduate and graduate students in physics and astrophysics as well as all physicists who are interested in obtaining a quick grasp of astrophysical concepts will find this book useful.
Download or read book Astronomy written by Andrew Fraknoi and published by . This book was released on 2017-12-19 with total page 1198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astronomy is written in clear non-technical language, with the occasional touch of humor and a wide range of clarifying illustrations. It has many analogies drawn from everyday life to help non-science majors appreciate, on their own terms, what our modern exploration of the universe is revealing. The book can be used for either aone-semester or two-semester introductory course (bear in mind, you can customize your version and include only those chapters or sections you will be teaching.) It is made available free of charge in electronic form (and low cost in printed form) to students around the world. If you have ever thrown up your hands in despair over the spiraling cost of astronomy textbooks, you owe your students a good look at this one. Coverage and Scope Astronomy was written, updated, and reviewed by a broad range of astronomers and astronomy educators in a strong community effort. It is designed to meet scope and sequence requirements of introductory astronomy courses nationwide. Chapter 1: Science and the Universe: A Brief Tour Chapter 2: Observing the Sky: The Birth of Astronomy Chapter 3: Orbits and Gravity Chapter 4: Earth, Moon, and Sky Chapter 5: Radiation and Spectra Chapter 6: Astronomical Instruments Chapter 7: Other Worlds: An Introduction to the Solar System Chapter 8: Earth as a Planet Chapter 9: Cratered Worlds Chapter 10: Earthlike Planets: Venus and Mars Chapter 11: The Giant Planets Chapter 12: Rings, Moons, and Pluto Chapter 13: Comets and Asteroids: Debris of the Solar System Chapter 14: Cosmic Samples and the Origin of the Solar System Chapter 15: The Sun: A Garden-Variety Star Chapter 16: The Sun: A Nuclear Powerhouse Chapter 17: Analyzing Starlight Chapter 18: The Stars: A Celestial Census Chapter 19: Celestial Distances Chapter 20: Between the Stars: Gas and Dust in Space Chapter 21: The Birth of Stars and the Discovery of Planets outside the Solar System Chapter 22: Stars from Adolescence to Old Age Chapter 23: The Death of Stars Chapter 24: Black Holes and Curved Spacetime Chapter 25: The Milky Way Galaxy Chapter 26: Galaxies Chapter 27: Active Galaxies, Quasars, and Supermassive Black Holes Chapter 28: The Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies Chapter 29: The Big Bang Chapter 30: Life in the Universe Appendix A: How to Study for Your Introductory Astronomy Course Appendix B: Astronomy Websites, Pictures, and Apps Appendix C: Scientific Notation Appendix D: Units Used in Science Appendix E: Some Useful Constants for Astronomy Appendix F: Physical and Orbital Data for the Planets Appendix G: Selected Moons of the Planets Appendix H: Upcoming Total Eclipses Appendix I: The Nearest Stars, Brown Dwarfs, and White Dwarfs Appendix J: The Brightest Twenty Stars Appendix K: The Chemical Elements Appendix L: The Constellations Appendix M: Star Charts and Sky Event Resources
Download or read book General Relativity Cosmology and Astrophysics written by Jiří Bičák and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-06-12 with total page 534 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The articles included in this Volume represent a broad and highly qualified view on the present state of general relativity, quantum gravity, and their cosmological and astrophysical implications. As such, it may serve as a valuable source of knowledge and inspiration for experts in these fields, as well as an advanced source of information for young researchers. The occasion to gather together so many leading experts in the field was to celebrate the centenary of Einstein's stay in Prague in 1911-1912. It was in fact during his stay in Prague that Einstein started in earnest to develop his ideas about general relativity that fully developed in his paper in 1915. Approaching soon the centenary of his famous paper, this volume offers a precious overview of the path done by the scientific community in this intriguing and vibrant field in the last century, defining the challenges of the next 100 years. The content is divided into four broad parts: (i) Gravity and Prague, (ii) Classical General Relativity, (iii) Cosmology and Quantum Gravity, and (iv) Numerical Relativity and Relativistic Astrophysics.
Download or read book Basic Concepts of Nuclear Physics written by Jagadish B. Garg and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2009-09-25 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: book provides a clear and concise discussion of basic concepts of nuclear physics to be covered in a one semester course in nuclear physics offered in colleges and universities. This course can be taken by physics and nuclear engineering seniors and graduate students, who have taken one semester of quantum mechanics and a course in math. Methods of physics. This book begins with the general properties of nuclei. In chapters 2 and 3 it discusses the nature of nuclear force as learned from the properties of deuteron and from the two body interactions of (n, n ), (n, p) and (p, p) pairs. In chapter 4 it gives discussion of the nuclear structure in terms of different nuclear models such as shell, collective vibration and rotation, unified and liquid drop. The models are applicable in different mass regions of nuclei. In chapter 5, discussion is given about \, and - ray modes of decay of unstable nuclei. Chapter 6 deals with different types of nuclear reactions induced by n, p, d, t, \- particles etc. These reactions are compound nucleus formation, direct reactions, such as stripping, knock out, pick up reactions, photonuclear reactions, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion etc. Chapter 7 gives a brief discussion of application of nuclear physics to other fields such as bio medical, nuclear energy, industry, crime detection and astrophysics. In chapter 8, I have given conceptual problems related to each chapter. The main feature of this book is that it gives a coherent treatment of each topic of nuclear physics in the proper order. Book Review Basic concepts of nuclear physics written by Jagadish B. Garg, Physics Professor, State University at Albany is a timely book. To my knowledge no other text book on this subject had been published in recent years. This book is written in a clear, concise and orderly fashion. The book begins with a discussion of the discovery of nucleus by Lord Rutherford and then describes all the basic properties of nuclei. In chapters 2and 3, the author discusses the nucleon nucleon force determined by properties of deuterons and from interaction of pairs of nucleons. In chapter 4, he discusses nuclear structure as described by shell, collective rotation, vibration, unified and liquid drop models. In chapter 5, he discusses various nuclear modes such as alpha, beta and gamma decay of unstable nuclei, In chapter 6, he discusses nuclear reactions induced by neutrons, protons, deuterons, He 3, He 4 and triton particles, photo nuclear reactions, nuclear fission and fusion. Theoretical treatment of these topics is appropriate for an introductory survey course in nuclear physics. Chapter 7 gives a brief discussion of application of nuclear physics to nuclear energy, to medical field such as diagnostic and treatment of human diseases, application to astro-physics, crime detection and determination of pollution in the environment The author is internationally known for his extensive research on many topics of nuclear physics. The author should be complimented for a clear and concise discussion of all important topics of nuclear physics. This book is suitable for a one semester survey course in nuclear physics to be given in physics and nuclear engineering departments. I have taught introductory course in nuclear physics at Renssaeler Polytecnique Institute for many years and would have adopted this book if it was then available. I would recommend this book to other professors teaching an introductory survey course on nuclear physics. - Norman Francis, Adjunct Professor at RPI(retired) Fellow of American Nuclear Society
Download or read book Conceptual Tools For Understanding Nature Proceedings Of The International Symposium written by Giacomo Costa and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 1993-12-17 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This symposium is the first scientific event organized by the “Seminar for Epistemology” under the auspices of the University of Trieste. The aim of the symposium was to collect and open to discussion the contributions of a number of distinguished scientists from cognitive sciences and experimental nature sciences and to bring together specialists of various backgrounds.The very authoritative contributions presented at the Conference represent relevant, even if not exhaustive, specimens of the role of new conceptual tools in science.
Download or read book Astrophysics written by James Binney and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2016 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Astrophysics is said to have been born when Isaac Newton saw an apple drop in his orchard and had the electrifying insight that the Moon falls just like that apple. James Binney shows how the application of physical laws derived on Earth allows us to understand objects that exist on the far side of the Universe.
Download or read book Neutrinos in Physics and Astrophysics written by P. Langacker and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2000 with total page 680 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Neutrinos are the central thread in the study of many aspects of particle physics and astrophysics. Neutrino interactions test the standard electroweak theory and its TeV scale extensions, and examine the structure of the nucleon and of the CKM matrix. Searches for neutrino mass and other intrinsic properties probe new physics at very short distance scales. The weak interactions of neutrinos imply for them a unique role in studying the early universe, the core of the Sun, type II supernovae, and active galactic nuclei, and suggest the possibility of small neutrino masses contributing to the missing matter in the Universe, especially on very large distance scales.
Download or read book Conceptual Systems written by Harold I. Brown and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2007-01-24 with total page 529 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Exploring how new concepts are entered into our systems along with sufficient continuity with older ideas to ensure understanding, this text highlights the different aspects that present an insightful view into the various theories of concepts.
