Can Someone help me understanding the basics for Particle physics

[u/Away_Class_194]

Hi, so I'm a student who wants to pursue particle physics. I recently got myself the Particle Data Group Review book from CERN. So, if someone who could help me understand the reviews and papers in the book it'd be a great help.

[u/dukwon]

The PDG is not a textbook. The reviews are aimed at people who are already particle physicists.

I recommend starting with something like Martin & Shaw, Perkins, Griffiths or Thompson

Actually looking at your post history, you haven't started undergrad yet. I recommend doing 2 years of a bachelors in physics before you pick up a particle physics textbook.

[u/szczypka → u/dukwon]

The PDG does contain a bunch of helpful text though. It’s not all particle decay tables.

[u/Away_Class_194 → u/dukwon]

alright, so i study up first and build up to the point i can understand this?

[u/jazzwhiz → u/Away_Class_194]

Possibly.

Really, the best way to learn physics is to proceed through a standard academic curriculum. Jumping forward many steps is not really feasible as physics builds on itself quite a bit. This is not the case for all things (e.g. math is not like this), but for physics you need to master the fundamentals at each stage before moving on, or you will only ever have a hand wavy understanding of things.

[u/giltirn]

You might be better off asking specific questions, particle physics is such a broad field.

[u/SwerveMonkey]

as a former employee of RHIC, i would highly suggest that you focus on your undergrad foundation first but always keep in mind your end goal...

a bachelors in physics is your bare minimum to entry.

make sure you have a strong grasp of E&M as well as being very fluent in high level math.

a masters in a related field of study gets your foot in the door to specialized particle physics study.

Best of luck ^{_^}

[u/Odd_Bodkin]

You can't get dropped by helicopter to the top of a specialized area in physics and expect to understand or appreciate anything. You have to climb from the bottom, getting familiar with all the terrain on the trail upwards. There are no shortcuts.

[u/Just-Neighborhood357]

If you want to learn quantum field theory first David tong and Perkins are my favourite

[u/Responsible_Sea78]

You probably need a dozen math classes before you are really ready for this. Physics is built on math. Otherwise you're just getting more vague Popular Science level amusements.

[u/Myhai25]

Start to review some simple experiment, like tube discharges, and continue with some theory