R. J. Blin-Stoyle

This is an accessible introduction to the subject of physics, and how it underpins our understanding of the physical world today. Starting with an initial description of what physics represents from the micro- to the macroscopic, Roger Blin-Stoyle takes the reader on a tour of Newton's Laws, the nature of matter, explaining how the physical world works and how physics may affect our future understanding. The treatment avoids detailed mathematics, and at all times relates the concepts introduced to the reader's everyday experience. The author makes effective use of simple, line drawings to illustrate the concepts introduced. Topics are presented with clarity and precision. The author's enthusiasm for his subject, and his desire to make it comprehensible to the widest possible audience are evident. It is a good foundation for exploring the more exotic aspects of physics, as presented by, for example, Close, Davies and Hawking. Suggestions for further reading are included as an appendix.

This is an accessible introduction to the subject of physics, and how it underpins our understanding of the physical world today. Starting with an initial description of what physics represents from the micro- to the macroscopic, Roger Blin-Stoyle takes the reader on a tour of Newton's Laws, the nature of matter, explaining how the physical world works and how physics may affect our future understanding. The treatment avoids detailed mathematics, and at all times relates the concepts introduced to the reader's everyday experience. The author makes effective use of simple, line drawings to illustrate the concepts introduced. Topics are presented with clarity and precision. The author's enthusiasm for his subject, and his desire to make it comprehensible to the widest possible audience are evident. It is a good foundation for exploring the more exotic aspects of physics, as presented by, for example, Close, Davies and Hawking. Suggestions for further reading are included as an appendix.

This book is intended to give a clear and concise introductory account of the basic ideas underlying nuclear and elementary particle physics. The attempt throughout is to convey a sound physical understanding of the structures and processes encountered. It assumes some knowledge of elementary quantum mechanics, particularly the treatment of angular momentum, and the rudiments of special relativity. In addition to 'standard' calculations based on this knowledge, frequent use is made of 'order-of-magnitude' and 'dimensional' arguments. In this way it has been possible to give some discussion of quite advanced topics and recent developments. Although reference is made from time to time to the apparatus of nuclear and particle physics no technical detail is given. My basic hope is that students using this book will acquire a sound understand­ ing of what nuclear and particle physics is about and will wish to learn more. I am indebted to Dr David Bailin and various (nameless) referees for penetrating and helpful comments on parts of the text.