Popular Physics

You probably know of Brian Cox from his entertaining TV programs. His explanations make everything seem so obviously simple. When he collaborated with Jeff Forshaw to write “why does E = mc² ?” they produced not one but two remarkable explanations of Einstein’s formula. If you love physics this has to be on your reading list (Pub. Da Capo Press, www.dacapopress.com  ISBN paperback 978-0-306-81911-7, hardback 978-0-306-81758-8).

For particle physics, “Higgs” by Jim Baggott is another book you will be reluctant to put down (Pub. Oxford University Press, www.oup.com  ISBN paperback 978-0-19-967957-7). This is a great introduction to the particle zoo.

Frank Close is another author to watch out for. His book “Antimatter” (Pub. Oxford University Press, www.oup.com as a slim hardback volume under ISBN 978-0-19-955016-6) builds on the inescapable conclusions to be drawn from Paul Dirac’s equation that places antimatter firmly in todays physics.

Another cracking good read is “The 4% Universe” by Richard Panek  (Pub. in Great Britain by Oneworld Publications, www.oneworld-publications.com as paperback ISBN 978-1-85168-821-0). This comprehensively pulls together the contributions of of the many physicists and astronomers who have formed todays view of the universe.