A Journey into Modern Physics - Part One: From Atoms to Quarks, Electrons and the Higgs Field

Welcome to part 1 of a Journey into Modern Physics. The book is for anyone who has little or no knowledge of modern physic but possesses an enquiring mind and an interest in the fascinating world of how things work in the realm of the very small. In particular, this book is for those contemplating a career in science or engineering, where a knowledge of the fundamental science that is physics will always be beneficial.

There are lots of topics to explore in part 1, predominately centred around atoms, sub-atomic particles, the main forces, or interactions of nature and the mysterious Higgs field.

Chapter 1 begins by asking 'what is an atom'? This question starts exploration not just of the atom, but the fascinating sub-atomic world of elementary particles. You will learn a first approximation of what the atom and its basic components are all about. Subjects examined in chapter 1 will be re-examined in other chapters as we explore deeper into the sub-atomic world by asking more and more searching questions. The final conclusion of chapter 1 examines a commonly quoted misconception: atoms are mainly empty space – which is nonsense and we will correct the myth.

Chapter 2 asks the question 'how do we know about the atom and its constituent parts'? The answers provide some of the history behind early thinking about the atom and its components, leading up to our first attempt at a classification of a veritable zoo of sub-atomic particles. Then along came the quarks, bringing order and simplicity to the zoo!

Chapter 3 asks, 'what's all this about the wave/particle duality'? We explore the schizophrenic nature of sub-atomic particles and light, which is fundamental to modern physics.