The Meaning of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (I): From a simple classical model
Liu, Chuang (2002) The Meaning of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (I): From a simple classical model.
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Abstract
This paper, part I of a two-part project, aims at answering the simple question 'what is spontaneous symmetry breaking?' by analyzing from a philosophical perspective a simple classical model. Related questions include: what does it mean to break a symmetry spontaneously? Is the breaking causal, or is the symmetry not broken but merely hidden? Is the meta-principle, 'no asymmetry in, no asymmetry out,' violated? And what is the role in this of random perturbations (or fluctuations)?
| Keywords: | spontaneous symmetry breaking, symmetry breaking, symmetry principle, symmetry, perturbation, equilibrium solution, ground state |
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| Subjects: | Specific Sciences: Physics: Classical Physics Specific Sciences: Physics Specific Sciences: Physics: Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences: Physics: Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics |
| ID Code: | 563 |
| Deposited By: | Liu, Chuang |
| Deposited On: | 04 Febuary 2002 |