Product Description

Antimatter explores a strange mirror world, where particles have identical yet opposite properties to those that make up the familiar matter we encounter everyday; where left becomes right, positive becomes negative; and where, should matter and antimatter meet, the two annihilate in a blinding flash of energy that makes even thermonuclear explosions look feeble by comparison. It is an idea long beloved of science-fiction stories - but here, renowned science writer Frank Close shows that the reality of antimatter is even more fascinating than the fiction itself. We know that once, antimatter and matter existed in perfect counterbalance, and that antimatter then perpetrated a vanishing act on a cosmic scale that remains one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Today, antimatter does not exist normally, at least on Earth, but we know that it is real for scientists are now able to make small pieces of it in particle accelerators, such as that at CERN in Geneva. Looking at the remarkable prediction of antimatter and how it grew from the meeting point of relativity and quantum theory in the early 20th century, at the discovery of the first antiparticles, at cosmic rays, annihilation, antimatter bombs, and antiworlds, Close separates the facts from the fiction about antimatter, and explains how its existence can give us profound clues about the origins and structure of the universe.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114338 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Review
This compact book is a wonderful source of information on antimatter and offers us a meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and applications of the often overlooked entities in the fantastic antiworld around us. (Chemistry World )

A meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and application of the ...antiworld around us. (Dennis Rouvray, Chemistry World )

...worth reading for its beautifully concise history of one vital aspect of twentieth-century particle physics (Mark Ronan, Times Literary Supplement )

His prose is clear, the concepts always understandable, his analysis always insightful. (Mark Greener, Fortean Times )

Beautifully written..This book will inspire a sense of awe in even the most seasoned of physics readers. (Amanda Gefter, New Scientist )

This is a must read for fans of science and science fiction alike. (Dr John Gribbin, www.bbcfocusmagazine.com )

Customer Reviews

A Perfect Introduction
This book acts as a perfect introduction to not just the world of antimatter, but also something of particle physics.

Close begins by discussing the legend of antimatter. A bizarre group of particles, often finding their way into Science Fiction, yet antimatter is real, it can exist, despite being annihilated on contact with matter. Close debunks what is false, and introduces the reader to the reality of antimatter, and the accompanying particle physics. A far from simple feat, having read several books previously which left me puzzled by Feynman diagrams, or simply what the particles are, Close takes a slower, gentler approach and succeeds in making the whole subject easily accessible.

The appendixes are very interesting too, offering some deeper insights into Antimatter, although some mathematical understanding may be necessary and can be left.

An excellent popular explanation of what we know about antimatter
Books which attempt a popular review of a highly specialized subject are notoriously difficult to write. The experts will find little in them that is new, and the general reader will encounter much that is obscure and baffling.

This having been said, Frank Close has done a creditable job presenting the subject of anti-matter.

I personally was intrigued by some technical facts cited (eg anti-protons can be cooled with electrons) and amused by several popular explanations (eg How a space explorer should communicate with super-intelligent inhabitants to ascertain that their territory is not made of anti-matter: a wise precaution before attempting to land.)

An excellent book. I am glad to have it.

Case not Closed, but well covered
Frank Close has written an excellent short, but sometimes demanding book about Anitmatter that takes the hype away and explains very well the hisotry and the back ground for th eteories and the interst from Science. Read it and get enlightened. He treats his story entertainingly but still explaining and giving insight.
Am looking forward to other books from him.