By Frank Close, Taylor & Francis. Paperback ISBN 9781584887980 £22.99 ($39.95).
Back in 1983, the world of particle physics was very different: LEP was under construction and the LHC was just a dream for a few people; the top quark had not been discovered; the amount of dark matter in the universe was not known; and dark energy was not even imagined. However, high-school physics was much the same as it is now, with most lessons focusing on the basics and rarely touching on “modern” state-of-the-art science. “Popular science” books were not in abundance, so it came as a breath of fresh air when the first edition of The Cosmic Onion was published. According to Close, the original “inspired a generation of students to take up science”. A grand claim indeed, but not without substance – the author of this review is living proof.
Like the original version, the revised one takes the reader through the most important periods in particle physics, from the discoveries of atoms and nuclei to our most up-to-date theories, including the Higgs mechanism, supersymmetry and grand unified theories. Close tackles some difficult topics along the way, such as QCD and the electroweak force, yet manages to convey their intricacies in a clear and concise manner. This is helped by the fact that each chapter contains a number of self-contained boxes that explain the more advanced concepts. The book finishes with a chapter devoted to the relationship between particle physics, cosmology and the Big Bang – a fitting end, or should that be start?
I found the chapter on the LEP era particularly good. Although it is relatively short, it provides a good summary of the most important findings of the previous “big accelerator” at CERN. It includes hints of new physics that should become clearer once the LHC is operating. Much of the book can be seen as explaining why we are building the LHC, and this should appeal to high school students interested in a career in particle physics – some of whom may end up analysing LHC data in years to come.
There are many differences in the content between the original and The New Cosmic Onion, bringing it up to date without changing the overall style. Close also manages to avoid delving into the realms of fiction, sticking with the most likely theories and avoiding the more exotic ones. This does not make the book any less enjoyable – far from it. Even though the world has changed and the number of popular particle-physics books available has grown enormously, The New Cosmic Onion remains distinct and one of the few books that is enjoyable to read, plus it is a useful reference for physics students. Let’s hope it will inspire another generation of particle physicists.
