Concepts Of Particle Physics

The second volume of this authoritative work traces the material outlined in the first, but in far greater detail and with a much higher degree of sophistication. The authors begin with the theory of the electromagnetic interaction, and then consider hadronic structure, exploring the accuracy of the quark model by examining the excited states of baryons and mesons. They introduce the color variable as a prelude to the development of quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong interaction, and go on to discuss the electroweak interaction--the broken symmetry of which they explain by the Higgs mechanism--and conclude with a consideration of grand unification theories. Review: This pair of volumes, like the Feynman Lectures, is a work that belongs in the hands of every physicist . . . These books may inspire leaders in other subdisciplines to write similar works and thereby bring the frontiers of physics closer to the center. Gottfried and Weisskopf have set a fine standard for such an endeavor. --Physics TodayFrom reviews of Volume I Physicists of all stripes have reason to look forward to Volume II with considerable enthusiasm. --Physics Today The second volume covers much of the same material as the first, but in more detail and with more mathematical sophistication...would make an excellent text for an advanced undergraduate course in modern physics or elementary particle physics...would provide a nice primer for graduate students just starting to learn the subject. --The Scientist