Elementary Particles: A Short History Of Some Discoveries In Atomic Physics. Yang, Chen Ning First Edition

First edition of this overview of the evolution of atomic physics, focusing on the discovery and understanding of elementary particles. Octavo, original publisher's cloth. Boldly signed by Chen Ning Yang on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with minor toning to the spine. Illustrated with black and white drawings and pictures. Rare and desirable signed. Yang begins by tracing the early identification of subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, highlighting the experimental and theoretical advancements that led to their discovery. He emphasizes the collaborative interplay between experimental findings and theoretical frameworks, demonstrating how each has propelled the other forward. A pivotal aspect of the book is the discussion of parity violation, a groundbreaking concept that Yang, along with Tsung-Dao Lee, introduced in 1957. This theory challenged the previously held notion that physical processes are symmetrical, revealing that certain subatomic interactions differentiate between left and right orientations. The experimental confirmation of parity violation marked a paradigm shift in the understanding of fundamental physical laws.