Discusses the structure and nature of matter and ways in which it can change.

This textbook is based on a mixture of simplified institutional theory and solved problems. The choice has been to limit the attention to key concepts and to the most typical aspects of atoms, molecules and solids, looking at the basic "structural" aspects without dealing in detail with the properties originating from them. The problems are entangled to the formal presentation of the arguments, being designed as an intrinsic part of the pathway the student should move by in order to grasp the key concepts.

A first course in two of the 20th century's most exciting contributions to physics: special relativity and quantum theory. Historical material is incorporated into the exposition. Coverage is broad and deep, offering the instructor flexibility in presentation. Nearly every section contains at least one illustrative example (with all calculations), and each chapter has a wide selection of problems. Topics covered include relativistic dynamics, quantum mechanics, parity, quantum statistical physics, the nuclear shell model, fission, fusion, color and the strong interaction, gauge symmetries, and grand unification.

"Nuclear new build provides major opportunities for the nuclear supply chain and skilled workforce. The scale of the new build ambitions, coupled with increasing demand throughout the nuclear fuel cycle and high average age of the existing qualified and experienced workforce has heightened concerns of further skills gaps. One of the key 'skills' gaps relates to the field of radiological protection in particular modelling and measuring doses accrued by the public under both normal operational discharges and accident scenarios. This book is an essential introduction to basic principles of radiation protection and aerosol physics. Also discussed are the specific difficulties with the monitoring and the health detriment associated with the more mobile and problematic radionuclides." -- Prové de l'editor.

A knowledge of atomic theory should be an essential part of every physicist's and chemist's toolkit. This book provides an introduction to the basic ideas that govern our understanding of microscopic matter, and the essential features of atomic structure and spectra are presented in a direct and easily accessible manner. Semi-classical ideas are reviewed and an introduction to the quantum mechanics of one and two electron systems and their interaction with external electromagnetic fields is featured. Multielectron atoms are also introduced, and the key methods for calculating their properties reviewed.

The classical theory of electromagnetism is entirely revised in this book by proposing a variant of Maxwell equations that allows solitonic solutions (photons). The Lagrangian is the standard one, but it is minimized on a constrained space that enforces the wave packets to follow the rules of geometrical optics. Exact solutions are explicitly shown; this opens a completely new perspective for the study of light wave phenomena. In the framework of general relativity, the equations are written in covariant form. A coupling with the metric is obtained through the Einstein equation, whose solutions are computed exactly in a lot of original situations. Finally, the explicit construction of elementary particles, consisting of rotating photons, is indicated. The results agree qualitatively and quantitatively with what it is actually observed. This opens the path to an understanding of the structure of matter and its properties, also aimed to provide a causal explanation to quantum phenomena.