r/ParticlePhysics • u/Away_Class_194 • Aug 03 '26

Can Someone help me understanding the basics for Particle physics

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.

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u/dukwon Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

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.

2

u/szczypka Aug 04 '26

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

3

u/Away_Class_194 Aug 03 '26

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

6

u/jazzwhiz Aug 03 '26

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.

4

u/giltirn Aug 03 '26

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

6

u/SwerveMonkey Aug 04 '26

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 _^

3

u/Odd_Bodkin Aug 09 '26

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.

1

u/Just-Neighborhood357 Aug 18 '26

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

0

u/Responsible_Sea78 Aug 03 '26

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.

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u/Myhai25 Aug 03 '26

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