Author Description
The Standard Model Of Subatomic Particles And The Periodic Table Of The Atoms Have The Common Goal To Bring Order In The Bewildering Chaos Of The Constituents Of Matter. Their Success Relies On The Presence Of Fundamental Symmetries In Their Core. The Purpose Of The Book Is To Share The Admiration For The Power And The Beauty Of These Symmetries. The Reader Is Taken On A Journey From The Basic Geometric Symmetry Group Of A Circle To The Sublime Dynamic Symmetries That Govern The Motions Of The Particles. The Trail Follows The Lines Of Parentage Linking Groups Upstream To The Unitary Symmetry Of The Eightfold Way Of Quarks, And To The Four-dimensional Symmetry Of The Hydrogen Atom. Along The Way The Theory Of Symmetry Groups Is Gradually Introduced With Special Emphasis On Graphical Representations. The Final Challenge Is To Open Up The Structure Of Mendeleev's Table Which Goes Beyond The Symmetry Of The Hydrogen Atom. Breaking This Symmetry To Accommodate The Multi-electron Atoms Requires To Leave The Common Ground Of Linear Algebras And Explore The Potential Of Non-linearity.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates how fundamental symmetry principles provide the underlying order for both the Standard Model of subatomic particles and the periodic table of elements. Authors Arnout Ceulemans and Pieter Thyssen utilize their expertise in theoretical chemistry and physics to bridge the gap between geometric symmetry groups and the complex behavior of multi-electron atoms. The text argues that while symmetry explains much of the physical world, the transition from simple atomic structures to complex elements requires an exploration of non-linear dynamics.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Mathematical foundations of symmetry groups and their graphical representations
- The historical and theoretical development of the Eightfold Way of quarks
- Analysis of the four-dimensional symmetry inherent in the hydrogen atom
- Theoretical frameworks for understanding the periodic table beyond simple linear algebra
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive history of particle physics discoveries
- It does not serve as a general introductory textbook for undergraduate chemistry students
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a specialized bridge between group theory and chemical structure, suitable for readers with a background in advanced mathematics or physics. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which requires a firm grasp of linear algebra to fully appreciate the authors' arguments.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190611405
ISBN-13:
9780190611408
Science
Atomic theory
Physics
Symmetry
Chemistry
Community Tags
Similar Books
