Particle physics Definition and 537 Threads

Hi, I've spent an enormous time through coursework and self-reading on learning different things in basic particle physics theory, such as scattering cross-sections, decay rates, etc. I am looking to connect the things I have learned in theory to experiments. This may seem a little vague, but...

True Background-Independent String Theory/Particle Physics Lee Smolin mentions in Trouble with Physics: "... it is not enough to have a theory with gravitons made from strings wiggling in space. We need a theory about what makes up space, a background-independent theory. As described...

And are reactions in particle physics reversible at all? If so, why don't we ever see Gibbs free energy used in particle physics equations?

Hello! I have difficulty trying with the interpretation of: (\frac{1}{2}) \otimes (\frac{1}{2}) \otimes (\frac{1}{2}) = (\frac{3}{2}) \otimes (\frac{1}{2}) \otimes (\frac{1}{2}) If I´m right this is the SU(2) irrep for isospin but what does this mean? Proton = Neutron?

Special Relativity is just a special case where spacetime is flat and fixed. Meaning it is not really a correct picture of reality because nature chooses curved spacetime that is background independent. So quantum particles shouldn't be occurring in a flat fixed background but a dynamic...

What is the difference between particle physics and nuclear physics? Two areas is often treated as a single region as "nuclear and particle physics". Some author of paper, however, distinguish sharply between the two regions. I want to know the boundaries of particle physics and nuclear physics.

Hi my name is Nick, I was wondering exactly what I would need, or could begin learning now that would help me get into the field of either Theoretical or Particle Physics. I'm a senior in high school and have gotten interested in physics, specifically those two areas. As a result I have...

I was wondering what one needs to know before learning particle Physics? And any resources/books that you could suggest to help that process.

I am interested in going down that path, and i was wondering if you have any advice? I mean like which schools i should aim for. I am aware that this would be better placed in academic advice, but no one gives advice about mathematical physics there, they all say to do something with better job...

Hello, I am a amateur-level person living in Canada with an interest in physics, especially particle physics. I have recently been wondering how possible it would be to create some simple/cheap devices to exhibit particle physics. I thought a cloud chamber would be the most feasible idea and...

Hello everyone. I never had the chance to take a class on particle or nuclear physics during my undergrad, so I want to know what everyone's favorite popular science book on particle/nuclear physics is. I'm not looking for a textbook or something overly mathematical (there's a reason I decided...

I was given the following question Which of the reactions on the right are allowed by first-order processes? For those which are not allowed, state one conservation law which is violated. What is a first order process in particle physics? i.e what does first order refer to? What would be...

I'm trying to find fusion (let's say of 2 hydrogen nucleus) in particle physics, I've just started with my self study of Particle physics book, any info in regards to fusion (Any Equation, solution) would be very helpfull.. THANKS.....

Hi guys, I'm in the second year of my undergraduate degree at Melbourne University. The subjects I have done this year are: - Real Analysis - Vector Calculus - Group Theory & Linear Algebra - Quantum Mechanics & Special Relativity - Thermal & Classical Physics - Electromagnetism &...

I've recently finished a course using Griffiths' Intro to Elementary Particles. I'm interested in the subject, but what would you recommend for reading after that? I'm not planning to pursue particle physics or theoretical physics. I've considered Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Zee. I...

Hello, I have several questions, perhaps not correctly asked, however I must get the concepts right, I'm intrigued. :bugeye: What does it mean that the strong force is 137 times stronger than EM force? Are particle collisions in particle physics also considered as wave-collisions with...

Hi, I am B.E. Mechanical Engg. candidate. But i am crazy about particle physics. I want to do research in atomic and particle physics. Can anyone guide me how to get into research since I don't have physics as my graduate degree. I know i have to do msc and phd but can anyone give guidance which...

Sorry to write a cliché post, but here goes. I'm very interested in particle physics, I'm going to be a sophomore at a small university this coming fall. I wanted to know a couple things: 1. Is there any good particle physics books I could buy/get at a library to start self studying? I...

Hi guys, I'd like to know universities, other than harvards and princetons, that have very strong groups in theoretical particle physics and need students. Mostly strong groups in theoretical particle physics are in the top 10 universiies, like MIT and so on but it is extremely hard to get into...

Hello, I'm a ungrad inbetween my junior and senior year, and I'm looking to go into particle physics. Specifically, I'm interested in entering a graduate program with researchers who specialize in Yang-Mills, string theory, and/or SUGRA. I'm also interested in gravitation and its relationship...

HELP! OZI rule Can anyone give me an explanation of the OZI rule in particle physics which is a bit better than "if you can split a feynman diagram in two by cutting gluon lines then it is suppressed"

Homework Statement In calculating the quantum mechanical amplitude for the Coulomb potential (scattering of say \alpha particle off a massive particle of charge Ze), I came across a Fourier transform which I could not calculate. If U(r)=\frac{2Ze^2}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r} then...

I'm just a year 12 student with an interest in mathematics and physics, but I have a question (or rather a few) for particle physicists/mathematicians out there. I have read a little about abstract algebra - to about the extent of knowing the definition of a group, its relationship to...

I am working on a homework assignment for my particle physics class, and it requires I understand what forces conserve what quantum numbers. As I understand it: Strong Conserves Isospin, I3 projection, s, c, b, t, Baryon number, lepton flavor E&M Conserves I3 projection, s, c, b...

Just when you think you've read enough bad physics reporting in the mass media, along comes Reuters and lowers the bar even further down. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62T1EQ20100330 I'm really puzzled by how they can let something like this through, considering that one can easily...

justify which interactions is involved in each of the following: \pi^0 \rightarrow \gamma \gamma \pi^+ \rightarrow \mu^+ \nu_\mu \pi^- p \rightarrow \triangle (1232) \rightarrow \pi^0 n K^0 \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^- ok the first one i ruled out strong force since particles on right don't...

Homework Statement Part A) Establish which of the following combinations of particles can exist in a state of I=1 : a) \pi^0\pi^0 b) \pi^+\pi^- c) \pi^+\pi^+ d) \Sigma^0\pi^0 e) \Lambda^0\pi^0 Part B) of the problem is: In what states of isospin may exist the following systems? f)...

Hey, I hope you are all dong well and that i am in the right place. I am not at all that good at physics. I am taking a physics class in school because i thought it was interesting. And I find it more interesting now. My problem: My new assignment requires that I describe how invisible...

I am looking forward to study Particle physics on my own. Can someone suggest me a book which I can read and understand by myself?

particle physics and quantum physics... can u tell me some difference between particle physics and quantum physics

Hello everyone- I was wondering if anyone could recommend introductory books on particle physics? I'm looking for something an undergrad could read as if they were taking a beginning course. I've searched Amazon and found tons of college textbooks only I'm not sure which ones are...

Hi,all, what is decay length in particle physics? I could not find on web, so frustrating. Thanks a lot for any helps!

Hi, I am half way of a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics in an European university. I have started to worry about my future after learning how really difficult it is to get a position, how much do postdocs earn and how difficult it is for some to find a good job outside academy. The truth...

The lectures from Susskind's lectures on particle physics which he hold this fall started to be available on iTunesU on Stanford;s home and youtube. Currently there are 2 on youtube and 3 on itunesU.

Hi, In particle physics, what does 'coupling' mean? I can't find a definition anywhere and books just assume you know what it is. For example, "the Higgs couples to light particles". Also, what does it mean to say that something strongly or weakly couples to something else? Any help...

I'm currently studying physics at A-level, and for particle physics I'm fine about the theory of the equations, I remember what equations to use etc, but I can't seem to get the right answers from my calculator. For example, when working out the specific charge of a carbon ion with Z = 6, A =...

Halo! =D I want to get into particle physics. It all started out great until I start my first semester of uni (about to finish first sem. xD). I realized that most students in the physics program is a) super serious b) super smart and c) know tons beyond the first year level. Now my...

I' m interested in experimental particle physics (graduate level). All books I know are focused on theory, do you know any book which focus on experiment? tnx

I'm struggling a bit with my module on particle physics. This is only part of the problem set, but I need it for the rest (which is asking whether or not some particular decays are possible). My problem is: How can you tell which is the most likely interaction for certain processes? For...

Homework Statement Dust particles are approximately 11.0 micrometers in diameter. They are pulverized rock, with density 2500 kg/m^3. If you treat dust as an ideal gas, what is the rms speed of a dust particle at 23.0 degrees C? Homework Equations I have no idea. The only one I would...

Show that the phase space factor \rho \propto p^2 dp/dE for the decay \pi\rightarrow \mu + \upsilon is \rho \propto \frac{({m_\pi}^2 - {m_\mu}^2)^2}{{m_\pi}^3}E_\mu where E is the total energy.I can show that p^2 = ({m_\pi}^2 - {m_\mu}^2)^2/4{m_\pi}^2 but then I get stuck, I don't know how...

Dear Marcus, You know everybody in the particle and QG fields and their reputations. Could you name several names of senior, experienced theoretical particle physicists who are highly respected, please? Responses of other PF members are also welcome. Regards, Vladimir.

Homework Statement At HERA 30 GeV electrons collided head on with 820 GeV protons. Calculate the invariant mass of ep collisions. (masses: e=0.0005GeV, p=0.938GeV) Homework Equations M^2 = (E1 + E2)^2 - (p1 + p2)^2 ? The Attempt at a Solution I know the numerical answer to...

Excellent talk at clear basic level. To save time, one can start at minute 7:00. That's where he discusses the standard model and then the Higgs, and then moves on to what else might be found. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2384517 I gather the talk was given this morning, 19 October, at a...

Hi, I've managed to get extremely confused; I feel like I'm getting told different things! I hope someone can just clarify this for me. If you have a reaction, say for example: p pion+ --> p p (where p is a proton) is it true that the rest mass afterwards must be less than the rest mass...

Here is the problem. I've been messing around with it for a while but I'm not sure if what I'm trying to do is the right way to approach this. The form factor F(q) = \int\rho(\vec{r})e^{i\vec{q}.\vec{r}/\hbar}d^{3}\vec{r} is the 3D Fourier Transform of the normalised charge distribution...

Hi In Halzen's "Quarks & Leptons" all discussed particle interactions conserve particle number in some sense (Actually particle number is not conserved but if you count the particles minus the antiparticles before the reaction you get the same "particles minus the antiparticles" number after...

What jobs can one get after doing a PhD in nuclear physics or particle physics except for lecturership? Where are they used?

made in the Soviet Union?

I'm a final year BSc Maths & Physics student and need to start applying for MSc's this autumn. My problem is, I don't know whether to study for a particle physics MSc or a generalist physics/applied maths MSc. I am currently doing a research project in CMT and I'm liking it a lot, but I have no...