Symmetry in Science: An Introduction to the General Theory

Description

Symmetry plays an essential role in science - not only in crystallography and quantum theory, where its role has long been explicitly recognized, but also in condensed-matter physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, biology, and others. This text discusses the concept of symmetry and its application to many areas of science. While it includes a detailed introduction to the theory of groups, which forms the mathematical apparatus for describing symmetries, it also includes a much more general discussion of the nature of symmetry and its role in science. Many problems serve to sharpen the reader's understanding, and an extensive bibliography concludes the book. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv What Is Symmetry? (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 1-4 The Mathematics of Symmetry: Group Theory (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 5-37 Group Theory Continued (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 38-65 Symmetry: The Formalism (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 66-91 Application of Symmetry (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 92-125 Approximate Symmetry and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 126-133 Symmetry in Processes, Conservation, and Cosmic Considerations (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 134-156 Symmetry: The Concept (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 157-168 Symmetry in Science (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 169-183 More Symmetry in Science (Joseph Rosen)....Pages 184-190 Back Matter ....Pages 191-213