Particle Physics (Manchester Physics Series)

My background: I completed a Physics degree way back in 1994, with a final year option in particle physics, and now teach science at secondary school level including some A-Level Physics.This is an undergraduate level (2nd or 3rd year) textbook on particle physics. To get the most out of it you'll need to have be mathematically confident and familiar with first-year level wave mechanics and calculus.The book is well laid out and clearly explained with keywords italicised on introduction and explained. Heavy use is made of Feynman diagrams, which makes things easier to follow, and there are some colour plates which help liven things up. There are student problems at the end of each chapter, with answers given at the endMore advanced topics are helpfully marked with a star, with the recommendation that they can be omitted at first reading and used for reference.Overall I enjoyed an extended browse through this and bringing my knowledge of the subject more up to date.The chapters are:1 - Basic concepts2 - Leptons and the weak interaction3 - Quarks and hadrons4 - Experimental methods5 - Space-time symmetries6 - The quark model7 - QCD, jets and gluons8 - Quarks and partons9 - Weak interactions : quarks and leptons10 - Weak interactions: electroweak unification11 - Discrete symmetries: C, P, CP and CPT12 - Beyond the standard modelA - Relativistic kinematicsB - Amplitudes and cross-sectionsC - The isospin formalismD - Gauge TheoriesE - Answers to selected questionsAn included sheet of physical constants is included.

I can see the audience for this being divided into two camps. Those who hate it and those who like it (I wouldn't so far as to say love it). The problem / advantage of this text is that the mathematical consideration has been simplified. That means that it is accessible for those who want to avoid that but the topic is inherently mathematical. So it becomes a simple introduction for someone who is familiar with the language of physics but not so familiar that they want the maths. The upshot is a book that is excellent as far as it goes and falls short on the last step at which point you need to go somewhere else for the maths.

I remember the Manchester Physics Series from my undergraduate days long since past. They've got pedigree. So this book represented a well founded opportunity to catch up on the current state of thinking. But don't start here unless you are a physics undergraduate or a graduate refreshing your knowledge.It's clearly written and well laid out.

Got this for my nephew who will be starting a physics degree in September. He was thrilled for some high level reading before the course began. The content of this is certainly aimed at serious academics. Not one for a beginner looking for an overview of the topic. There's lots of complex mathematics and physics, all with detailed explanations.

This is described as an accessible introduction to particle physics but it is not a pop science book. To get anything out of it, you need a thorough grounding in physics and its concepts. You're not going to get much out of this reading it on the bus.