Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles

by Paul Halpern

An accessible look at the hottest topic in physics and the experiments that will transform our understanding of the universe The biggest news in science today is the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and most powerful particle-smasher, and the anticipation of finally discovering the Higgs boson particle. But what is the Higgs boson and why is it often referred to as the God Particle? Why are the Higgs and the LHC so important? Getting a handle on the science behind the LHC can be difficult for anyone without an advanced degree in particle physics, but you don't need to go back to school to learn about it. In Collider , award-winning physicist Paul Halpern provides you with the tools you need to understand what the LHC is and what it hopes to discover.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, History, Popular Science, Audiobook, Mathematics

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2009

About the author

Acclaimed science writer and physicist Dr. Paul Halpern is the author of fourteen popular science books, exploring the subjects of space, time, higher dimensions, dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, particle physics, and cosmology. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Athenaeum Literary Award. A regular contributor to NOVA's "The Nature of Reality" physics blog, he has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including "Future Quest" and "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special".

Halpern's latest book, "Einstein's Dice and Schrodinger's Cat," investigates how physicists Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrodinger battled together against the incompleteness and indeterminacy of quantum mechanics. Their dialogue inspired Schrodinger's famous thought-experiment about a cat in a box that is in a mixed state between life and death until it is observed. They struggled to find a unified field theory that would unite the forces of nature and supersede quantum weirdness. Sadly they would never find success and their efforts would lead to a fiasco.

More information about Paul Halpern's books and other writings can be found at:
phalpern.com

Reviews

[Nick Gotch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read many books on the subject of particle physics. Most talk about the science and the history of the field. Collider touches on these subjects too, I particularly enjoyed the chapter on black holes, but the central theme of this book is the accelerators themselves. You get told the story of the design and building of Fermilab and the LHC and the terrible fall that was the SSC.

The truly saddening thing about the story is the constant struggle big science has with politics and funding. It tells how America, once heavily invested in big science, now focuses on the short-term and economy, things that might help now but put us in a terrible place in the future. You clearly get the message that America is no longer the place high-energy physicists want to be these days, they'd much rather be in Europe working at CERN. That's unfortunate.

Also discussed is the future of the field and what it might mean if the Higgs boson is never found. There's mention of the ILC and plans to use it to validate results from the LHC but it too is already experiencing funding issues.

I found Collider a fascinating, informational read. It has some dull moments like many other physics books but overall is very entertaining and enlightening, and I would recommend it to anyone with a fair bit of prior exposure to physics and a passion for the subject.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have difficulty putting into words my frustration with this book. The topic of particle accelerators is fascinating and the personalities, technology, and science involved in their construction leave me endlessly interested...except this book seems to somehow miss that. The stories are haphazard, don't show much research depth and don't seem to fit into any sort of over-all narrative. The author periodically revisits the LHC without discussing much of it in detail. The author also fails to discuss other notable colliders and even FermiLab isn't reviewed in much detail. I could go over the book's other shortcomings but this feels more like running up the score than informing other readers.

This book is not good which would be more acceptable if it weren't on a topic I find so otherwise interesting. I recommend "Smashing Physics" instead.

[Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guh. Couldn't finish it. It's not the subject matter that was boring, but rather a combination of bad narrator (okay, yeah, I'm really picky about audiobook narrators, so this guy may not seem that bad to anyone else) and Halpern's writing, namely his consistent use of similes and metaphors that did not make sense to me. I kept getting stuck. For instance, at one point he says, "like an ornery ant pushing a crumb off a picnic table." I mean, what? I just can't imagine an ant ever behaving in that way--throwing a temper tantrum and pushing food off a table out of spite? Huh? I probably spent the next ten minutes trying to come up with any situation in which this sort of thing would happen in real life. And then there was the baby elephant on a mattress surrounded by peanuts scenario. I just couldn't handle the imagery, I guess--sometimes I am way too literal. Anyway, I made it about 20% of the way through, but I felt like I was squinting in confusion and clenching my teeth in frustration and huffing and puffing in annoyance and disbelief the whole time and eventually figured I'd be better off just giving the rest of this one a pass. So. Take that, you ornery ant!

[Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب اكثر من رائع وتحدث بكل بساطة واتقان عن عالم الجسيمات الاولية وماذا يحدث في سيرن باسلوب بسيط
لأيس كتاب سرد تاريخي بل هو كتاب يتحدث عن المستقبل وعلاقته بالماضي ولا يكتفي فقط كالكتب الاخري بتوضيح الجزء العلمي بل وايضا ما الابحاث والتطورات التي تحدث وهذا ما يختلف عنه عن معظم الكتب التي تهتم بفيزياء الجسيمات الاولية


لماذا الولايات المتحدة ليست المكان المناسب الذي يجذب فيزيائيى الجسيمات الأولية ؟
من المثير للاهتمام موضوع الاهتمام المتواضع في الولايات المتحدة في العصر الحديث بفيزياء الجسيمات الاولية وترك الامر للجامعات الأمريكية لتحقيق بعض الاسهامات بالتعاون مع منظمات دولية واوروبية مثلCERN واليابان
من الواضح ان العصر الذهبي لفيزياء الجسيمات في أمريكا قد انتهي فحتي المعامل التي دخلت بها امريكا المجال بقوة منذ بداية وجود مجال فيزياء الجسيمات أصبحت تعاني من قلة التمويل وكذلك عدم وجود أي خطط مستقبلية لتطوير المعامل او انشاء مسرعات جسيمات او مراكز ابحاث جديدة
وعلي ما يبدو ان مستقبل فيزياء الجسيمات كلها ما زال يحمل علي عاتقه ما سوف تثمر عنه محاولات دراسة higgs boson بعد اكتشافه وعلي ما يبدو ان لعلماء الفيزياء النظرية الدور الأبرز هنا في تحديد مستقبل الفيزياء بما سيثمر عنه عملهم من تفسير وتحديد للنماذج

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came out in 2010, just 2 years after CERN opened so it is in the midst of CERN excitement and prelude to much that has been momentous since, such as when the physics world erupted in excitement in July 2012 to learn that scientists using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN announced they had detected a particle that looked to be the so-called Higgs boson. This book is introductory to the relevant subatomic topics and at a much more accessible level than Warped Passages. Having read both I recommend this and then go on to Lisa Randall's book if you need to no more, although there are surely more up to date works out, now. Two impressions I came away with this is a renewed sadness CERN is not in the USA due to the descirptions of the abandoned Texas supercollider that never was and I final grok angular momentum as the product of radio, velocity and mass.

[YHC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books about particle physics, some are quite difficult for public readers like me, but this one i consider still understandable, Halpern used storytelling style to explain the development of particle physic since 1920, he mentioned 2 key persons who make LHC happened:
Ernest Rutherford (who discovered the existence of the atomic nucleus)and Lawrence, one the earliest creators of a particle accelerator (colliders are a variety of particle accelerator). The book also mentioned about how US failed to complete the super collider in the early 1990s.

We thought the magnificent gigantic machine was just like an alien high technology that came out from nowhere and it's complexity (I have visited CERN couple years ago before Higgs Boson was found), I was standing there with my mouth open..stunning! Actually in the book it explained how gradually this beast was created, from smaller and simpler machine extended to such giant machine. I think the most beautiful side of humanity is we brainstorm and create something together and change the world, or make us understand the world even more.

[Teejay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been present at Fermilab when the top quark was first detected, I must confess to being something of a whimsical snob... But remain a fan of Big Science, even though the Tevatron has been eclipsed by CERN. Even so, Paul Halpern's book poses something of an anomaly: it is not a book for the layperson, because he does not really describe the intricacies of what the LHC Is trying to discover: one must already be familiar with the field. And yet, it's not a technical book, either. I really wanted to know how the acceleration worked, details of the cryos, etc... And come away with nothing. I finished the book having learned nothing I didn't already know from reading physics publications. No diagrams, no technical descriptions beyond a glossed-over description of the detectors, and maybe ten illustrations, including a lonesome Cockroft-Walton, decaying in a garden. Bummer. The sad thing is, as impressive as the LHC is, I detected no EXCITEMENT in this book! And if colliders can't excite you, something is seriously Wrong in this universe.

[Brian Fang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book primarily served to convince me that particle research is a danger - almost unlimited downsides (addressed by author in handwavy fashion as with most physics concepts in book) and very limited upside (elite hubris?). The massive amounts of funding cern receives should to be diverted to more worthy goals, such as climate chg and eugenics.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collider : the search for the world's smallest particles. This is a whole new topic for me. I can follow along with the book and understand it well enough at the time that I’m reading it. However, I couldn’t possibly explain it to another person. I still like it, though.

[Farrah Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Stories are perhaps a bit disjointed, but still fairly easy to follow. Interesting topic, and easy to read. I learned a lot and enjoyed the journey.

[Matt Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it was written before the discovery of the Higgs Boson I thought it was a nice overview of the history of colliders and cyclotrons and the potential future of their findings.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

another particles' hunters at CERN..

[Marissa Dobulis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know enough about some of this work to be able to follow along, but the jumping back and forth (with little focused on the colliders themselves) made it less interesting than I would have liked.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Halpern (the author) wrote this lovely book in a storytelling style. He tells us, to some extent, the story of the research in the field of Particle Physics (High Energy Physics).. and covers both the theoretical and the experimental sides. Along the book, he explains, in layman terms, every concept and theory within the context, so that the reader doesn't lose sight of the main ideas discussed in each chapter.

What is particle physics? Why seeking unification (finding the theory of everything)?, How did this field evolve and who are the stars of the field? What are accelerators and detectors (the machines by which scientists probe Nature to its deepest levels)?, the stories of great laboratories (Rutherford lab, .., Fermilab, CERN).. The rise and fall of the Superconducting Super Collider.. The American attitude towards HEP Vs. the European's attitude. The Large Hadron Collider (the LHC) and the search for the Higgs boson, Dark Matter, Dark Enery, Extra Dimension, Black Holes... And the bright (or maybe dark) future of Particle Physics (experiment-wise)... are all told within the pages of this nice book; Collider.

I shall write a more detailed review later ISA.

[Min · Rating 2 out of 5]

if you want a drawn out and detailed history of all the physicists and their contributions that led to the building of the CERN Hadron Collider, this is the book for you. Halpern doesn't begin discussing the LHC until somewhere around Chapter 12, close to 3/4 through the book. most of the book is made up of anecdotes and metaphors. the anecdotes ranged from deadly dull to mildly interesting. the metaphors were so annoying, i wanted to throw my Kindle. i understand some of them were intended to make things easier for the lay person to understand, but when you get 5-6 back-to-back paragraphs of nothing but metaphor, the cutesy analogies start to get irritating.

i gave up after Chapter 12.

[Mikko Karvonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collider is an excellent overview of the history and theory of particle physics, the development of various accelerators, smashers and colliders, and what the scientists are actually after with the experiments being conducted at LHC. Halpern writes clear and nicely flowing text and does very good job explaining the various terms involved, so there is no need for any special knowledge to follow what he is talking about.

There are couple less interesting sidetracks (mainly regarding machines that never actualized), but they are rather short, and the rest is excellent read. I recommend the book as a good way of getting a well-presented snapshot in the world of particle physics.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read recently about CERN's large hadron collider. I thought this one to be lttle better, because there was more coverage of the history of colliders. Definitely recommended for everyone with an interest in modern physics.
I will add the same observation I made in my review of the other book. The LHC is a wonderful testiment to human curiousity since it involves the expenditure of some 15 billion dollars in the search for knowledge that can never be of any practical value to mankind. Even the rediculous man in space program came up with the invention of Tang. Of course more money by far has been spent on that goose chase.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was undecided between 3 or 4 stars for this one, so I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt simply because I think it's a worthwhile read for any layperson (physics-wise) at all interested in the subject. The book is a fairly concise history of particle physics experimentation, focused not so much on technical detail or theoretical speculation than it is on the people involved in delving into the physics of the very, very small. The style is generally informal and friendly; and though at times some of the similes seemed a bit forced or overly cute to me, in all it was an enjoyable read.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mix of the science and history of modern quantum mechanics for the explanation of the fundamental nature of matter. The emphasis is on the Large Hadron Collider operated by CERN in Switzerland and the still ongoing search for the Higgs Boson. The book alternates between explanation of particle theory, the history of advances in this area, and description of the Large Hadron Collider. If this subject interests you at all you will like this book, even if you have no scientific background. Available as ebook.

[Theodosia of the Fathomless Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was REALLY good, and I say that truthfully. The pedestrian could find the pages as interesting and informative as the particle-physicist... Remarkably lucid for a book of its class, admitted a few phrases are difficult they're nothing a re-read can't handle. Diminutive it is, but nonetheless stunning.

Paul Halpern did a smashing job and a great contribution to physics, I believe. Armchair scientist, or wingback student, or even a collegiate personage, this is brilliant.

4.7 stars. Great job.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically a short history of partical physics beginning with Rutherford and ending with the large hadron collider. He tells of the successes of the Tevetron and the United States failure to build the Superconducting Super Collider which in effect ended particle physics research in the USA. The book is well written if a little dense. It is a slow reader but well worth the effort.

[Kadri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Collider" is an interesting book giving an overview of discoveries of elementary particles and the scientists and instruments that have been used for those discoveries. It covers ground from the smallest particles to black holes and the end of the Universe.
The reader also gets to know more about a few different particle accelerators - though mostly it's about the Large Hadron Collider.

[Ron Joniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book that documents the history of accelerators and related physics history. I greatly enjoyed the easy read through the timeline of the standard model. The author also discusses topics like wormholes, black holes, and time travel.

One of the takeaways from the book is the US and U.K.'s poor political stance on science. That is unfortunate, to say the least.

[Gendou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was dry and boring, because it was remedial for me.
But the second half had some interesting physics in it!
If you're new to physics, this would be an exciting read all the way through.

[Beauregard Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Particles are small!"

After reading this you will realize that particles are small and takes a huge amount of energy to find them. You will have a working understanding of what the Large Hadron Collider does and how it does it.

[Jordan B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a strictly physics book, this one might not fit what you're looking for. I was bored (somewhat) during the LHC chapter. I did, however, learn a lot about physics. Pretty good book.

[Richard Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is engaging and informative. The second half gets too technical and becomes a shopping list.

[Trever · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts and in depth history of how the collider came to be.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a Mr. Toads ride through particle physics. Needs a glossary