The Force of Symmetry [Paperback]

An elementary introduction to the interplay between quantum mechanics, relativity, and symmetry.This elementary introduction to the spectacular interplay among the three great themes of contemporary physics--quantum behavior, relativity, and symmetry--explores many fascinating aspects of modern physics, discussing the nature and interaction of force and matter.This elementary introduction to the spectacular interplay among the three great themes of contemporary physics--quantum behavior, relativity, and symmetry--explores many fascinating aspects of modern physics, discussing the nature and interaction of force and matter.The Force of Symmetry gives an elementary introduction to the spectacular interplay among the three great themes of contemporary physics: quantum behavior, relativity, and symmetry. In clear, nontechnical language, it explores many fascinating aspects of modern physics, discussing the nature and interaction of force and matter. All these themes are drawn together toward the end of the book to describe the most successful physics theory in history, the standard model of subatomic particles. The book is suitable for undergraduate students in physics and mathematics.Preface; Introduction; 1. A matter of force; 2. Stalking the wild rainbow; 3. Light; 4. Maybe I'm Heisenberg; 5. Catch a falling quantum; 6. Quantum beanbags; 7. Symmetries; 8. Quantum relativity: nothing is relative; 9. Life, the Universe and everything; 10. The physics of a tablecloth; 11. Colour me red, green and blue; 12. Smashing symmetry; 13. How much is infinity minus infinity?; 14. Excelsior! The ascent to SU(); 15. A modest reading proposal. ...provides a good introduction to the importance of symmetry in physics....trylu covers a large amount of material at the conceptual level and appears not to omit any concepts of quantum mechanics or basic relativity...a good supplement or source of review. E. Kincanon, Choice Vincent Icke is clearly a master at providing convincing l3+