Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking: Its Meaning From a Simple Classical Model
Liu, Chuang (2002) Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking: Its Meaning From a Simple Classical Model.
Full text available as: |
Abstract
This paper aims at answering the simple question `what is spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB)?` by analyzing from a philosophical perspective a simple classical model which exhibits all the requisite properties of SSB. Related questions include: what does it mean to say that a symmetry is spontaneously broken? Is it broken without any cause, or is the symmetry not broken but merely hidden? Is the meta-principle, `no asymmetry in, no asymmetry out,` violated by SSB? And what is the role in this of random perturbations (or fluctuations)?
| Keywords: | Physics, Fields and Particles, Symmetry |
|---|---|
| Conferences and Volumes: | [2002] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 18th Biennial Mtg - PSA 2002: Contributed Papers (Milwaukee, WI; 2002): PSA 2002 Contributed Papers |
| ID Code: | 1083 |
| Deposited By: | Program Committee, |
| Deposited On: | 23 March 2003 |