From the universe to the elementary particles. A first introduction to cosmology and the fundamental interactions. (Q642471)

The aim of the book is to present the current status of our knowledge of the laws of nature from cosmology to the elementary particles and to address the numerous open questions and controversially discussed topics such as string theory. The book presupposes the mathematical level of knowledge of students in natural sciences at the beginning of their studies. In addition, in a very brief version, the author introduces some mathematical concepts, necessary for the understanding of the text and going beyond this level. The text starts with a review of the different physical structures, beginning with the universe and passing by atoms and nuclei to the elementary particles, the quarks and leptons. Subsequently, the corresponding concepts and physical phenomena are briefly discussed in the following 11 chapters: 2. The evolution of the universe; 3. Elements of the theory of relativity; 4. The theory of fields; 5. Electrodynamics; 6. The strong interaction; 7. The weak interaction; 8. The production of elementary particles; 9. Symmetries; 10. The standard model of particle physics; 11. Quantum corrections and the renormalization group equations; 12. Beyond the standard model. Aspects of these concepts are explained with the help of simple calculations. The book turns to college and university students, hobby astronomers and other science enthusiasts. It takes an intermediate position between a physical textbook and a popular treatment. Since it addresses a huge number of fundamental topics on little less than 200 pages, without having space to discuss their theoretical basis in more detail, it necessarily also has some shortages concerning a real understanding of the current status of our physical knowledge.