Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A unique balance of particle and nuclear physics is presented in this outstanding introduction to the field. Nuclear properties, decay, structure and reactions are covered initially, followed by discussions of nuclear forces, B-decay, and elementary particles and their interactions. Furtherchapters include strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions, and an up-to-date presentation of the problems facing particle physics. Whenever possible, the reader is encouraged to appreciate the quantitative aspect of a phenomenon in addition to learning a descriptive explanation. Manyillustrations supplement this excellent text.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Some Quantitative Formalities
• 3 The Size and Shape of Nuclei
• 4 The Mass of Nuclei
• 5 Nuclear Instability
• 6 Alpha Decay
• 7 Nuclear Collisions and Reactions
• 8 Nuclear Models
• 9 Forces and Interactions
• 10 Hadrons and Quark-Parton Model
• 11 The Electromagnetic Interaction
• 12 The Weak Interactions
• 13 Particles: Summary and Outlook
• 14 Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Williams provides an up-to-date survey of nuclear and particle physics at a distinctly higher level than the material found in most sophomore-level US texts on modern physics and is roughly at the same level as Kenneth S. Krane's Introductory Nuclear Physics (CH, Jun'88) but not nearly as extensive in its coverage of nuclear physics and related topics. The first eight chapters are devoted to what might be called ^D["traditional nuclear physics,^D]" while the last six cover particle physics, including its relationship to astrophysics and cosmology as well as discussion of the electromagnetic and weak interactions in nuclear physics. Williams writes for British students in their last year of study for the first degree in physics, but because of the book's rather unique level and its integration of nuclear and particle physics, it can serve as a very useful reference for any college or university library supporting undergraduate or graduate programs in physics.