Best way to get to the standard model for the mathematically inclined I'd say is follow the path of works by Weinberg and 't Hooft. Unfortunately, I don't know of a compilation that actually contains equations. But this books may be a good starting point: https://www.amazon.com/Search-Ultimate-Building-Blocks-Hooft/dp/0521578833 …
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I've always enjoyed Huang's book: QUARKS, LEPTONS AND GAUGE FIELDS (2ND EDITION)https://www.amazon.com/dp/9810206607/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YOfyCbT7VJ0T7 …
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Replying to @JosephHucks @skdh and
I think that book is *great* for getting the idea of the Standard Model without sinking into all the complicated depths of quantum field theory. I love it. It's on my list of favorite books.
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Replying to @johncarlosbaez @skdh and
Yes, I love it too. I like to flip through it occasionally as a refresher. The axial anomaly and the QCD theta puzzle are especially interesting. He does a good job on the Standard Model. I talked to him briefly when I was at MIT. Seemed like a nice guy.
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Replying to @JosephHucks @johncarlosbaez and
Thank you very much, Dr Hucks, for calling my attention to this reference. Any opinions on how it compares with Chris Quigg's book?
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Replying to @MathPrinceps @johncarlosbaez and
Hi, please call me Joe! I think Quigg's book is a little more technical, with more emphasis on computations, plus he covers GUTs to a small extent. I find Huang's writing style and notation easier to read. With QFT books, it's good to have several to look at.
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Replying to @JosephHucks @johncarlosbaez and
Thanks, Joe. I strongly agree that one really just can't learn quantum field theory adequately from a single textbook -- not even one in three large volumes, like Weinberg's. The subject is just too vast and various, and the questions it raises too intricate and subtle.
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Replying to @MathPrinceps @JosephHucks and
While it's true that quantum field theory is very hard, mainly because nobody fully understands it yet, I'm afraid stressing this point too much may dissuade
@wtgowers from learning more about how people came up with the Standard Model.1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @johncarlosbaez @MathPrinceps and
There's a lot of fun to be had by learning the history. I'd start with this: Robert P. Crease and Charles C. Mann, "The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-Century Physics".https://www.amazon.com/Second-Creation-Revolution-Twentieth-Century-Physics/dp/0813521777 …
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Replying to @johncarlosbaez @MathPrinceps and
And then, for a slightly deeper look, I'd try these: Emilio Segre, "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves: Classical Physicists and Their Discoveries". and Emilio Segre, "From X-Rays to Quarks: Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries". And so on. https://www.amazon.com/X-rays-Quarks-Physicists-Discoveries-Mathematics/dp/0486457834 …
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I think I'd recommend Abraham Pais' INWARD BOUND, myself. But really, for anyone mathematically literate who wants to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible, about the microworld as physicists now know it, I think the best single book is still Born's ATOMIC PHYSICS.
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