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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Particle at the End of the Universe summary
Sean Carroll
How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World
22 mins
Brief summary
The Particle at the End of the Universe by Sean Carroll is an accessible and engaging exploration of the discovery of the Higgs boson, the particle that gives all other particles mass. It highlights the science behind the discovery and the people involved in it.
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The Particle at the End of the Universe
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Atoms, the building blocks of ordinary matter, are made of protons, neutrons and electrons.
From the very beginning, we’ve wondered what exactly our bodies are made of. Modern science has revealed that everything – including you – is comprised of tiny particles or building blocks called atoms.
And these building blocks are composed of smaller, subatomic particles: protons, neutrons and electrons.
Every single atom has a unique number of protons in its nucleus – its atomic number. This number can be used to identify the atom on the periodic table, first published by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
For example, the atom Helium has two protons in its nucleus, and is thus identified with the atomic number “two.” Plutonium, on the other hand, has 94 protons (a “heavier” atom) and can be found on the table at number 94.
In 1913, Niels Bohr made an important contribution to our understanding of the atom with his atom model. He found that electrons “orbit“ around the nucleus and its protons and neutrons, much like the moon orbits the earth.
Protons and electrons differ in two important ways: charge and weight. Electrons are negatively charged and relatively light compared to protons, which are positively charged and 1,840 times as “heavy” as electrons.
An atom is the smallest unit for certain chemical elements. Sometimes, however, atoms can join together and form what’s called a molecule. Many common substances, such as water or carbon dioxide, are actually molecules, or a specific combination of atoms stuck together.
For example, when two hydrogen atoms join with an oxygen atom, they create a water molecule. You can think of this as the tiniest possible drop of water.
As miniscule as atoms are, however, scientists soon came to know of an even stranger, tinier world within the protons, neutrons and electrons themselves.
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What is The Particle at the End of the Universe about?
The Particle at the End of the Universe gives you a crash course in particle physics by explaining the basics of what has become known as the “standard model.” The book also details the fascinating and exciting journey that eventually led to the discovery of the elusive Higgs boson.
The Particle at the End of the Universe Review
The Particle at the End of the Universe (2012) is a captivating exploration of the discovery of the Higgs boson and its implications for our understanding of the universe. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With a scientific approach and accessible explanations, it brings the complex concepts of particle physics to a lay audience.
- The book delves into the history of the field, providing context and showcasing the perseverance of scientists in unraveling the mysteries of the universe.
- Its engaging storytelling makes a complex topic feel exciting and intriguing, ensuring that readers stay engaged from start to finish.
Best quote from The Particle at the End of the Universe
If an electrons mass were turned all the way down to zero, there wouldnt be atoms at all.
—Sean Carroll
Who should read The Particle at the End of the Universe?
- Anyone interested in physics
- Anyone who wants to learn about the origin and the characteristics of our universe
- Anyone curious about the Large Hadron Collider and how it works
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The Particle at the End of the Universe FAQs
What is the main message of The Particle at the End of the Universe?
Understanding the Higgs boson is crucial to comprehending the fundamental workings of the universe.
How long does it take to read The Particle at the End of the Universe?
The reading time for The Particle at the End of the Universe varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Particle at the End of the Universe a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Particle at the End of the Universe is a captivating exploration of particle physics with accessible explanations. A must for science enthusiasts.
Who is the author of The Particle at the End of the Universe?
The author of The Particle at the End of the Universe is Sean Carroll.
What to read after The Particle at the End of the Universe?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Particle at the End of the Universe, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Cosmos by Carl Sagan
- Moon by Ben Moore
- Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku
- Until the End of Time by Brian Greene
- Who We Are and How We Got Here by David Reich
- The Janus Point by Julian Barbour
- The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
- Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs by Lisa Randall
- A Thousand Brains by Jeff Hawkins
- Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking