Why the Universe Exists: How particle physics unlocks the secrets of everything

by New Scientist

Overview

As you read this, billions of neutrinos from the sun are passing through your body, antimatter is sprouting from your dinner and the core of your being is a chaotic mess of particles known only as quarks and gluons.

If the recent discovery of the Higgs boson piqued your interest, then Why The Universe Exists will take you deeper into the world of particle physics, with leading physicists and New Scientist exploring how the universe functions at the smallest scales.

Find out about hunt for dark matter and why there is something rather than nothing. Discover how accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland are rewinding time to the first moments after the big bang, and how ghostly neutrino particles may hold the answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe.

ABOUT THE SERIES
New Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473629691
Publisher:	John Murray Press
Publication date:	09/21/2017
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Since 1956, New Scientist has established a world-beating reputation for exploring and uncovering the latest developments and discoveries in science and technology, placing them in context and exploring what they mean for the future. Each week through a variety of different channels, including print, online, social media and more, New Scientist reaches over 5 million highly engaged readers around the world.

Follow New Scientist on Twitter: @newscientist

Table of Contents

Series introduction vi

Contributors vii

Introduction xi

1 Fantastic particles and where to find them 1

2 Boson power 21

3 The Higgs maker 47

4 Quark tales 73

5 Antimatter 87

6 The little neutral ones 107

7 The lethal lightweight 127

8 Superparticles and beyond 139

9 Pieces of gravity 165

10 After the Large Hadron Collider 175

11 Practical particles 187

12 Conclusion 201

Fifty ideas 203

Glossary 213

Picture credits 219

Index 221