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Particle Physics for Non-Physicists: A Tour of the Microcosmos
- Narrated by: Steven Pollock
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
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Particle Physics for Non-Physicists: A Tour of the Microcosmos
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Summary
Would you like to know how the universe works? Scientists have been asking that question for a long time and have found that many of the answers can be found in the study of particle physics, the field that focuses on those impossibly tiny particles with unbelievably strange names - the hadrons and leptons, baryons and mesons, muons and gluons - so mystifying to the rest of us.
And now, in a fascinating and accessible series of 24 lectures, you can take the mystery out of the remarkable field that in only 100 years has unlocked the secrets of the basic forces of nature.
Professor Pollock will make you familiar with the fundamental particles that make up all matter, from the tiniest microbe to the sun and stars. And you'll also learn the "rules of the game" - the forces that drive those particles and the ways in which they interact - that underlie the workings of the universe.
The lectures have been designed to be enriching for everyone, regardless of scientific background or mathematical ability. Virtually all you'll need as you enter this fascinating world are your curiosity, common sense, and, as Professor Pollock notes, "an open mind for the occasional quantum weirdness." As you move through the lectures, you'll also gain - a knowledge of how those particles fit into perhaps the greatest scientific theory of all time: the Standard Model of particle physics; a grasp of key terms like "gauge symmetry," "quantum chromodynamics," and "unified quantum field Theory;" and - an appreciation of how particle physics fits in with other branches of physics - including cosmology and quantum mechanics - to create our overall understanding of nature.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about Particle Physics for Non-Physicists: A Tour of the Microcosmos
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Geoff Griffiths
- 31-12-20
Exceptional
A brilliant book explaining complicated concepts in a digestible and fun way. Steven Pollock is outstanding.
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- James
- 27-02-19
Used whilst studying nuclear chemistry at universi
gave me some great insight into particle physics that wasn't too complicated or too simple
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- Taha Lateef
- 12-06-18
Great book
Enjoyed the story thoroughly. However, it seems as if this book was recorded quite sometime ago, even before LHC became operational and the Higgs boson was discovered. It would be nice to have a new edition of this book incorporating the recent discoveries.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Frederick Hickey
- 08-07-16
Particle physics for the uninitiated
This is a very good Great Courses audiobook about Particle Physics. The narration and description of things is accessible for those with little to no understanding of Particle Physics, and the course never panders to it's audience.
My only critique would be that science has clearly advanced since this course was released. The course makes assumptions about possible "future" scientific discoveries that (at the time of writing this review) have already been discovered e.g. the Higgs Boson. Unfortunately this does date this course slightly. With that aside, however, this is an excellent audiobook.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mark Childerley
- 09-01-21
Great Course, easy listening
Particle Physics is my favourite subject in Physics. I’ve taught myself Physics over the last 5-6 yrs and can honestly say I’ve listened to this Audiobook at least 6 times. Pollock explains this subject in a nice uncomplicated way, in his own relaxed style.
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- Erik
- 22-01-19
wonderful
These lectures were wonderful. Sharing information requires a great speaker and this speaker is the full package. I was engaged the whole time. Ok, I am interested in physics and I have read many books, but even though I know a bit about particle physics and the standard model, professor Pollock is a fantastic speaker. In detail he explained everything and he is particular well spoken. Many thanks for this great course.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- amy
- 04-01-18
well worth a listen
brilliant guide through the history of discoveries. would be nice to be updated about higgsboson
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- D. J. Morris
- 08-06-15
Perfectly pitched
Very well presented, enthusiastic introduction to particle physics, very much looking forward to extending my understanding since the Higgs was (with high probability) discovered in 2013. Prof Pollock's delivery is hugely engaging, and he never assumes any knowledge beyond a general appreciation of the scientific method. Would have liked some links to reference material, but Wikipedia sufficed to give a visual representation of the Standard Model as Prof Pollock built up the picture. Absolutely recommended to anyone with an enquiring mind, and with some 30 min slots in their day which can be dedicated to listening!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tom
- 07-02-21
Works well as an audio book
These lectures walk through what we know today and the history of how we got to where we are with quantum physics. I really enjoyed the book, well worth the time. Unlike other books taken from lectures, this one didnt loose anything without the video.
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- LFC
- 23-07-22
Impeccable
An outstanding and candid way to present such complex ideas. Thank you so very much!
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