Summary: "The hunt for the Higgs particle has involved the biggest, most expensive experiment ever. So exactly what is this particle? Why does it matter so much? What does it tell us about the Universe? Did the discovery announced on 4 July 2012 finish the search? And was finding it really worth all the effort? The short answer is yes. The Higgs field is proposed as the way in which particles gain mass - a fundamental property of matter. It's the strongest indicator yet that the Standard Model of physics really does reflect the basic building blocks of our Universe. Little wonder the hunt and discovery of this new particle produced such intense media interest. Here, Jim Baggott explains the science behind the discovery, looking at how the concept of a Higgs field was invented, how the vast experiment was carried out, and its implications on our understanding of all mass in the Universe."
The hunt for the Higgs particle has involved the biggest, most expensive experiment ever. So exactly what is this particle? Why does it matter so much? What does it tell us about the Universe? Did the discovery announced on 4 July 2012 finish the search? And was finding it really worth all the effort?The short answer is yes. The Higgs field is proposed as the way in which particles gain mass - a fundamental property of matter. It's the strongest indicator yet that the Standard Model of physics really does reflect the basic building blocks of our Universe. Little wonder the hunt and discovery of this new particle produced such intense media interest.Here, Jim Baggott explains the science behind the discovery, looking at how the concept of a Higgs field was invented, how the vast experiment was carried out, and its implications on our understanding of all mass in the Universe.
Popular science
"The hunt for the Higgs particle has involved the biggest, most expensive experiment ever. So exactly what is this particle? Why does it matter so much? What does it tell us about the Universe? Did the discovery announced on 4 July 2012 finish the search? And was finding it really worth all the effort? The short answer is yes. The Higgs field is proposed as the way in which particles gain mass - a fundamental property of matter. It's the strongest indicator yet that the Standard Model of physics really does reflect the basic building blocks of our Universe. Little wonder the hunt and discovery of this new particle produced such intense media interest. Here, Jim Baggott explains the science behind the discovery, looking at how the concept of a Higgs field was invented, how the vast experiment was carried out, and its implications on our understanding of all mass in the Universe."
General (US: Trade)
Table of contents provided by Syndetics
About the Author (p. x)
Preface (p. xi)
Foreword (p. xiv)
Prologue: Form and Substance (p. 1)
Part I Invention
1 The Poetry of Logical Ideas (p. 19)
2 Not a Sufficient Excuse (p. 38)
3 People Will Be Very Stupid About It (p. 54)
4 Applying the Right Ideas to the Wrong Problem (p. 73)
This is one of the first books of many, no doubt, seeking to explain the significance of the discovery of the Higgs boson, nicknamed the "God particle." Baggott, a well-known science writer, relates in ten short, readable chapters the history of this fundamental physics mystery, the quest to find the source of mass. The book attempts to explain to laypersons how the Higgs boson became the focus of interest through the acceptance of the standard model of the structure of the atom. It delves into the history of experimental efforts in the US and the European Union, with the latter, at the Center for European Nuclear Research (CERN), prevailing in an experimental coup in the summer of 2012. The work is a good mix of history and physics related to this monumental effort and discovery. It will appeal more to audiences that have some background knowledge of basic physics. Nonetheless, the story is exciting and readable, comparable to the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity some decades ago. The book includes useful diagrams, some pictures, and very few equations. The glossary and notes are welcome additions to readers unfamiliar with the terminology and those who wish to further explore the topic. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; informed general readers. N. Sadanand Central Connecticut State University
TextPublication details: United Kingdom Oxford University Press 06/06/2013Description: 304 PaperbackISBN: 