The Quantum Quark

Description

The world you can feel and touch is built of atoms, the smallest identifiable chunks of matter. Yet the heart of each atom is itself a whole new world, a world populated by quarks: indivisible, vanishingly small, the ultimate building blocks of our universe. This inner world where quarks reign is subject to new and unfamiliar rules, the rules of the quantum world. Colossal particle accelerators enable physicists to bring this inner world into focus, and have helped them shape a theory respectful of quantum rules that explains how quarks feel one another's presence. The Quantum Quark is the story of that theory: quantum chromodynamics.

Andrew Watson is a freelance science journalist and writer. After his PhD in theoretical physics, from the University of Manchester, he went on to do physics research and lecturing. He now combines working part-time as a scientist at the Institute of Food Research with writing. He has written for a range of publications from popular magazines and newspapers to scientific journals, and is a regular contributor to Science magazine.

From the hardback review: 'A refreshingly new and attractive account of particle physics in general and QCD in particular.' Professor Donald H. Perkins, University of Oxford From the hardback review: 'Andrew Watson's book acquaints the reader with quantum chromodynamics in a comprehensive, systematic and enjoyable way. Historical interludes are combined with qualitative presentations of the basic issues to create a single clear-cut and colorful picture of the development of this theory and its present-day status. This book is one of the best examples of the popular literature devoted to theoretical physics.' Professor Mikhail Shifman, University of Minnesota From the hardback review: '... it is a very complete account of the ideas and experiments that led to the development of this theory and its verification. As such, it may appeal to anybody willing to take the time and make the effort to understand the basis for last year's prize ... I suggest that you persuade your library to buy Watson's book ...' Nature From the hardback review: 'Everything you need to know about QCD is there, remarkably without equations.' Contemporary Physics From the hardback review: 'Watson does a good job in describing this strange world and in leading the reader to the idea of QCD itself.' Physics World 'Readers who want to find out about particle physics in the sense of current experiments may find this book helpful, as it is very readable.' Professor Frank Close, Oxford University