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The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter (Science Essentials) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Helen R. Quinn, Yossi Nir
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy Used: $8.08
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Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 128700
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 292
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 10 x 7 x 1
ISBN: 0691133093
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9780691133096
ASIN: 0691133093
Publication Date: December 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In the first fractions of a second after the Big Bang lingers a question at the heart of our very existence: why does the universe contain matter but almost no antimatter? The laws of physics tell us that equal amounts of matter and antimatter were produced in the early universe--but then, something odd happened. Matter won out over antimatter; had it not, the universe today would be dark and barren. But how and when did this occur? Helen Quinn and Yossi Nir guide readers into the very heart of this mystery--and along the way offer an exhilarating grand tour of cutting-edge physics. They explain both the history of antimatter and recent advances in particle physics and cosmology. And they discuss the enormous, high-precision experiments that particle physicists are undertaking to test the laws of physics at their most fundamental levels--and how their results reveal tantalizing new possibilities for solving this puzzle at the heart of the cosmos. The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter is at once a history of ideas and an exploration of modern science and the frontiers of human knowledge. This exciting, accessible book reveals how the interplay of theory and experimentation advances our understanding and redefines the questions we ask about our universe.
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| Customer Reviews:
 A mystery who is not one June 20, 2008
Bernard Wuillaume (Louvain la Neuve Belgique)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An excellent update on consmology. Need some background to be totally understood.
Well written.
 Perspective from a non-particle physicist June 13, 2008
Christian Thoma (High Point, NC United States)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
In short, a very frustrating book. It's supposed to make particle physics accessible to the lay reader, but it doesn't take any steps to truly do so. No glossary of terms. No summary charts of the various particles. As for pictures? Apparently the authors decided that the reader would have no problem visualizing particle decay (and all its various colors and handedness and charges and spins), but needs a picture of a man balancing a broom on his nose because that would be beyond our mental capability. The authors will remind you of simple ideas (they tell us multiple times that the Baryon number is quarks minus antiquarks) yet don't think you need to be reminded what W- particles are again ... of course, a glossary and chart would make repetition unnecessary.
I also think they should've put equations in the book. I can understand that they thought doing so might scare off some readers, but some of the ideas would've been easier to understand if the equation involved was reproduced.
Some of the bio of the scientists is interesting, but it's usually just a couple sentences. And I can tell the authors were earnest in their desire to convey their enthusiasm for the subject. But the lack of summary data or useful images just makes it too arduous for the casual reader. Someone who has taken several college physics courses might have better luck ... but then the lack of bibliography at the end will probably frustrate them as it makes the book an end point, not a starting point.
 Not "yet another popular science book" January 4, 2008
Eilam Gross (Weizmann Isntitute Rehovot Israel)
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
Though I am a particle physicist in my profession I might have read dozens of popular books on this subject and related subjects. The one thing that is very clear when reading this book is that there is no attempt to hide anything behind the carpet. Nir and Quinn challenge themselves by trying to explain very difficult terms like "matter fields","energy functions" and "vacuum energy" without over simplifying them, like is done in most popular books on this subject. Whether they succeed in their mission or not I am not capable to say. However, I think with its beautiful cartoons and its thorough explanations this book is trying to aim at both the layman and the more advanced reader; each one can pick whatever from the book and understand it on a different level. If you consider yourself an intelligent reader I can guarantee this book is telling only the truth, no shortcuts. This book is a manifestation of the wise man saying: things should be simple but not simpler than that. Thats the book. Highly recommended for both the novice and the pro.
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