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Chapter 1: Preliminary Notions

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Chapter 1: Preliminary Notions

pp. 1-69

Authors

, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy
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Extract

The toolbox for subnuclear physics.

How the Lorentz transformations can be found from basic properties of space-time, independently of electromagnetism, as in the usual presentations. Lorentz-invariance is a common property of all the fundamental interactions.

Clear discussion of the fundamental concepts of energy, momentum and mass; of their relations; and of their transformations between reference systems, in particular the laboratory and centre of mass frames.

The sources of high-energy particles, cosmic rays and the different types of accelerators. The progress of our knowledge is fully linked to the experimental ‘art’ of detector design and development. Detectors are made of matter, solid or liquid, or gaseous. The interactions of charged and neutral high-energy particles with matter are described. The principal types of detector and the principles of their operation are introduced.

Keywords

  • relativity principle
  • Lorentz transformations
  • mass
  • energy
  • momentum
  • collisions
  • decays
  • passage of radiation in matter
  • detectors
  • cosmic rays
  • accelerators

About the book