Physics 366: Elementary Particle Physics

The goal of elementary particle physics is to describe Nature at its most fundamental level. In this class, we will introduce and discuss the theoretical and experimental underpinnings of our modern understanding of particle physics. This will require reviewing topics in special relativity and quantum mechanics, as well as introducing new tools, like Feynman diagrams. We will also discuss in detail how particle physics experiments work and detect particles.

The course materials are provided below. The textbook for the class is my book "Elementary Particle Physics: An Intuitive Introduction," Cambridge University Press (2019). It is available at the Reed College Bookstore, from Cambridge directly (here) or from anywhere you buy books. There is both a print and electronic version.

Because of the continuing pandemic, this course will be available to take entirely online. In addition to the textbook and the lectures notes provided, all lectures will be recorded and posted to this site. To get credit for the course, you must be officially enrolled and complete the assignments, but otherwise this course is open to audit by any and all in the Reed College community.

Course Syllabus

Link to Gradescope
All homework will be assigned and submitted through Gradescope. You can add this course if you are enrolled for credit with the access code GE2DJ3.

Link to Zoom room for live lectures and office hours
Live lectures at 10:25 am Tuesdays and Thursdays

Link to Google Doc for posting live lecture questions

Final Project

There will be a final project for this class, due Wednesday, May 12. You are required to write a short essay/research paper one on of the following topics: either your favorite particle, your favorite symmetry, or your favorite force as discussed in this class (or closely related). Format the research paper in two-column Physical Review-style, including a brief abstract. The paper only needs to be a few pages long, but should include the following information: (1) what the particle/symmetry/force is, (2) why you chose it, (3) what its properties are, (4) how you would produce it (if a particle) or how it is manifest (if a force/symmetry), (5) how you would observe it, and (6) a Feynman diagram representing its production or observation (if a particle/force) or how particles transform under it (if a symmetry).
You can find the RevTeX template, installation instructions, and more information here.
The final paper is due on Wednesday, May 12, uploaded to Gradescope.

Particle Fever Viewing

As in previous times I have taught this class, we will watch the documentary Particle Fever on the final day of class. Unlike in previous years, we will watch it over Zoom (through the usual course link), and a question and answer session will follow. I will show the film at 7:00 pm (Portland time) on Thursday, April 29. More information will follow in lectures.

Lecture Notes

Homework Assignments

Homework 1: Due February 5
                Exercises 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 Solutions
Homework 2: Due February 12
                Exercises 2.1, 2.7, 2.8 Solutions
Homework 3: Due February 21
                Exercises 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8 Solutions
Homework 4: Due February 26
                Exercises 4.1, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7 Solutions
Homework 5: Due March 5
                Exercises 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, 5.7 Solutions
Homework 6: Due March 12 OPTIONAL
                Exercises 6.2, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7
Homework 7: Due March 19
                Exercises 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.8 Link to Data for Exercise 7.8 Solutions
Homework 8: Due March 26
                Exercises 8.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.8 Solutions
Homework 9: Due April 2
                Exercises 9.2, 9.3, 9.5, 9.6 Solutions
Homework 10: Due April 9
                Exercises 10.1, 10.7, 10.8 Solutions
Homework 11: Due April 23
                Exercises 11.2, 11.7, 11.8 Solutions

Websites

Preprint arXiv
InSpire
CERN
ATLAS Public Results
CMS Public Results
HEP Data
Open Data Portal
KITP Workshop on Precision Collider Physics
Fermilab g-2 Results
Course on the Discovery of the Higgs Boson
Particle Bites
All about that Higgs
Rollin' in the Higgs
Daily Show at the LHC
ILC Promotion Video
Large Hadron Rap
First Image on the World Wide Web
C.-S. Wu Commemorative Stamp
The Swapland
Resonaances on Lepton Universality
Parody of Howie Day's "Collide"
The Story Collider
Particle People
The Atom Smashers
Big Bang Machine
Strangness Minus Three
Particle Fever Extras
Particle Fever The definitive documentary on the discovery of the Higgs boson.
Documentary: CERN People Filmmaker Liz Mermin interviewed several scientists over a few years and collected her interviews into a series of short documentaries.
Film: DECAY The Higgs boson happens to turn people into zombies. Written, starring, and directed by physics graduate students working at CERN. Also, filmed entirely at CERN.