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    1 The Concept of Symmetry - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . .

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    otiumetbellum
    This document discusses the concept of symmetry across multiple chapters. Chapter 1 introduces symmetry, discussing how it implies asymmetry and how analogy and classification are forms of symmetry. Chapter 2 explains how symmetry is fundamental to science, through principles like reductionism, reproducibility, and predictability. Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the roles of symmetry in physics, the mathematics of group theory, applications of symmetry principles, and symmetry's implications for the universe and processes over time. The overarching themes are that symmetry is pervasive in nature and integral to science and our understanding of the physical world.

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    1 The Concept of Symmetry - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . .

    Uploaded by

    otiumetbellum
    33 views5 pages
    This document discusses the concept of symmetry across multiple chapters. Chapter 1 introduces symmetry, discussing how it implies asymmetry and how analogy and classification are forms of symmetry. Chapter 2 explains how symmetry is fundamental to science, through principles like reductionism, reproducibility, and predictability. Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the roles of symmetry in physics, the mathematics of group theory, applications of symmetry principles, and symmetry's implications for the universe and processes over time. The overarching themes are that symmetry is pervasive in nature and integral to science and our understanding of the physical world.

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    9783540759720-t1

    Original Title

    9783540759720-t1

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    This document discusses the concept of symmetry across multiple chapters. Chapter 1 introduces symmetry, discussing how it implies asymmetry and how analogy and classification are forms of symmetry. Chapter 2 explains how symmetry is fundamental to science, through principles like reductionism, reproducibility, and predictability. Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the roles of symmetry in physics, the mathematics of group theory, applications of symmetry principles, and symmetry's implications for the universe and processes over time. The overarching themes are that symmetry is pervasive in nature and integral to science and our understanding of the physical world.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    33 views5 pages

    1 The Concept of Symmetry - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . .

    Uploaded by

    otiumetbellum
    This document discusses the concept of symmetry across multiple chapters. Chapter 1 introduces symmetry, discussing how it implies asymmetry and how analogy and classification are forms of symmetry. Chapter 2 explains how symmetry is fundamental to science, through principles like reductionism, reproducibility, and predictability. Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the roles of symmetry in physics, the mathematics of group theory, applications of symmetry principles, and symmetry's implications for the universe and processes over time. The overarching themes are that symmetry is pervasive in nature and integral to science and our understanding of the physical world.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 5

    Contents

    The
    1.1
    1.2
    1.3
    1.4

    Concept of Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    The Essence of Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Symmetry Implies Asymmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Analogy and Classication Are Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . .
    Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    1
    1
    8
    10
    15

    Science Is Founded on Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


    2.1 Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.2 Reduction Is Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.2.1 Reduction to Observer and Observed . . . . . . . .
    2.2.2 Reduction to Quasi-Isolated System
    and Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.2.3 Reduction to Initial State and Evolution . . . . .
    2.3 Reproducibility Is Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.4 Predictability Is Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.5 Analogy in Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.6 Symmetry at the Foundation of Science . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    2.7 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    17
    17
    20
    22

    Symmetry in Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.1 Symmetry of Evolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.2 Symmetry of States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.3 Reference Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.4 Global, Inertial, and Local Reference Frames . . . . . . . .

    39
    40
    44
    49
    53

    25
    26
    29
    32
    35
    37
    38

    XII

    Contents

    3.5
    3.6
    3.7

    Gauge Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Gauge Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Symmetry and Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.7.1 Conservation of Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.7.2 Conservation of Linear Momentum . . . . . . . . . .
    3.7.3 Conservation of Angular Momentum . . . . . . . . .
    3.8 Symmetry at the Foundation of Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9 Symmetry at the Foundation of Quantum Theory . . . .
    3.9.1 Association of a Hilbert Space with a Physical
    System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.2 Correspondence of Observables to Hermitian
    Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.3 Complete Set of Compatible Observables . . . . .
    3.9.4 Heisenberg Commutation Relations . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.5 Operators for Canonical Variables . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.6 A Measurement Result Is an Eigenvalue . . . . . .
    3.9.7 Expectation Values and Probabilities . . . . . . . .
    3.9.8 The Hamiltonian Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.9 Plancks Constant as a Parameter . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.9.10 The Correspondence Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    3.10 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    4

    The
    4.1
    4.2
    4.3
    4.4
    4.5
    4.6

    Application of Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    5.1 Minimalistic Use of the Symmetry Principle . . . . . . . . .
    5.2 Maximalistic Use of the Symmetry Principle . . . . . . . . .
    5.3 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    55
    58
    65
    66
    67
    68
    70
    71
    71
    73
    74
    75
    75
    75
    76
    76
    77
    77
    77

    Symmetry Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
    Causal Relation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
    Equivalence Relation, Equivalence Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
    The Equivalence Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
    The Symmetry Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
    Cause and Eect in Quantum Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
    Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
    107
    107
    125
    130

    Contents

    XIII

    Approximate Symmetry,
    Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    6.1 Approximate Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    6.2 Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    6.3 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    131
    131
    135
    140

    Cosmic Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    7.1 Symmetry of the Laws of Nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    7.2 Symmetry of the Universe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    7.3 No Cosmic Symmetry Breaking or Restoration . . . . . . .
    7.4 The Quantum Era and The Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    7.5 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    141
    141
    144
    147
    155
    159

    The
    8.1
    8.2
    8.3
    8.4
    8.5
    8.6

    Mathematics of Symmetry: Group Theory . . . . .


    Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Isomorphism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Homomorphism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Subgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    161
    161
    176
    180
    186
    192
    194

    Group Theory Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


    9.1 Conjugacy, Invariant Subgroup, Kernel . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.2 Coset Decomposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.3 Factor Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.4 Anatomy of Homomorphism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.5 Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.6 Direct Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.7 Permutation, Symmetric Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.8 Cayleys Theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    9.9 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    195
    195
    203
    207
    209
    215
    217
    220
    224
    226

    10 The Formalism of Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227


    10.1 System, State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
    10.2 Transformation, Transformation Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

    XIV

    Contents

    10.3
    10.4
    10.5
    10.6
    10.7
    10.8
    10.9

    Transformations in Space, Time, and Space-Time . . . .


    State Equivalence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Symmetry Transformation, Symmetry Group . . . . . . . .
    Approximate Symmetry Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Quantication of Symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Quantum Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    236
    240
    243
    251
    253
    255
    258

    11 Symmetry in Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    11.1 Symmetry of the Laws of Nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    11.2 Symmetry of Initial and Final States,
    the General Symmetry Evolution Principle . . . . . . . . . .
    11.3 The Special Symmetry Evolution Principle
    and Entropy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    11.4 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    261
    261
    270

    12 Summary of Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.1 Symmetry and Asymmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.2 Symmetry Implies Asymmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.3 No Exact Symmetry of the Universe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.4 Cosmological Implications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.5 The Equivalence Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.6 The Symmetry Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.7 The Equivalence Principle for Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.8 The Symmetry Principle for Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    12.9 The General Symmetry Evolution Principle . . . . . . . . .
    12.10 The Special Symmetry Evolution Principle . . . . . . . . . .

    283
    283
    283
    284
    285
    285
    285
    286
    286
    286
    286

    274
    280

    References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
    Further Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
    Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

    http://www.springer.com/978-3-540-75972-0

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