Problems and Solutions in Nuclear and Particle Physics

This book presents 140 problems with solutions in introductory nuclear and particle physics. Rather than being only partially provided or simply outlined, as is typically the case in textbooks on nuclear and particle physics, all solutions are explained in detail. Furthermore, different possible approaches are compared. Some of the problems concern the estimation of quantities in realistic experimental situations. In general, solving the problems does not require a substantial mathematics background, and the focus is instead on developing the reader’s sense of physics in order to work out the problem in question. Consequently, sections on experimental methods and detection methods constitute a major part of the book. Given its format and content, it offers a valuable resource, not only for undergraduate classes but also for self-assessment in preparation for graduate school entrance and other examinations.

Sergio Petrera is Senior Professor at the Gran Sasso Science Institute, Italy. He has been researcher at the italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Rome and Professor of Physics at Lecce and L'Aquila Universities. He has been INFN Director in Lecce and Director of the Physics Department in L'Aquila. Up until 1985 his research interests lay mainly in particle physics at accelerators, in several experiments at Fermilab and CERN, including the hybrid searches for charm in neutrino production and for beauty in hadro-production. Later on his interests have focused on astroparticle physics, including studies of cosmic rays, searches for monopoles, atmospheric neutrino oscillations, and neutrino bursts from stellar collapses in the experiment MACRO at Gran Sasso Laboratory. He is currently involved in the field of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina.