Group theory Definition and 380 Threads

It goes without saying that theoretical physics has over the years become overrun with countless distinct - yet sometimes curiously very similar - theories, in some cases even dozens of directly competing theories. Within the foundations things can get far worse once we start to run into...

Homework Statement Let m ≥ 3. Show that $$D_m \cong \mathbb{Z}_m \rtimes_{\varphi} \mathbb{Z}_2 $$ where $$\varphi_{(1+2\mathbb{Z})}(1+m\mathbb{Z}) = (m-1+m\mathbb{Z})$$ Homework Equations I have seen most basic concepts of groups except group actions. Si ideally I should not use them for this...

I teach group theory for physicists, and I like to teach it following some papers. In general my students work with condensed matter, so I discuss group theory following these papers: [1] Group Theory and Normal Modes, American Journal of Physics 36, 529 (1968) [2] Nonsymmorphic Symmetries and...

Homework Statement I am translating so bear with me. We have two group homomorphisms: α : G → G' β : G' → G Let β(α(x)) = x ∀x ∈ G Show that 1)β is a surjection 2)α an injection 3) ker(β) = ker(α ο β) (Here ο is the composition of functions.) Homework Equations This is from a...

I do have a fair amount of visual/geometric understanding of groups, but when I start solving problems I always wind up relying on my algebraic intuition, i.e. experience with forms of symbolic expression that arise from theorems, definitions, and brute symbolic manipulation. I even came up with...

Why does the image of elements in a homomorphism depend on the image of 1? Why not the other generators?

I'm having a bit of an issue wrapping my head around the adjoint representation in group theory. I thought I understood the principle but I've got a practice problem which I can't even really begin to attempt. The question is this: My understanding of this question is that, given a...

Homework Statement Let ##S = \{(x_1, \dots, x_p) \mid x_i \in G, x_1 x_2 \cdots x_p = e\}##. Let ##C_p## denote cyclic subgroup of ##S_p## of order ##p## generated by the ##p##-cycle, ##\sigma = (1 \, 2 \, \cdots \, p)##. Show that the following rule gives an action of ##C_p## on ##S## $$...

Homework Statement Determine ##\phi(R_{180})##, if ##\phi:D_n\to D_n## is an automorphism where ##n## is even so let ##n=2k##. The solutions manual showed that since the center of ##D_n## is ##\{R_0, R_{180}\}## and ##R_{180}## is not the identity then it can only be that...

Homework Statement Decide all abelian groups of order 675. Find an element of order 45 in each one of the groups, if it exists. Homework Equations /propositions/definitions[/B] Fundamental Theorem of Finite Abelian Groups Lagrange's Theorem and its corollaries (not sure if helpful for this...

Homework Statement The SO(3) representation can be represented as ##3\times 3## matrices with the following form: $$J_1=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\matrix{0&1&0\\1&0&1\\ 0&1&0}\right) \ \ ; \ \ J_2=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\matrix{0&-i&0\\i&0&-i\\ 0&i&0}\right) \ \ ; \ \...

In Arnold's book, ordinary differential equations 3rd. WHY Arnold say Tg:M→M instead of Tg:G→S(M) for transformations Tfg=Tf Tg, Tg^-1=(Tg)^-1. Let M be a group and M a set. We say that an action of the group G on the set M is defined if to each element g of G there corresponds a...

I've been trying to understand representations of the Lorentz group. So as far as I understand, when an object is in an (m,n) representation, then it has two indices (let's say the object is ##\phi^{ij}##), where one index ##i## transforms as ##\exp(i(\theta_k-i\beta_k)A_k)## and the other index...

Homework Statement For a left invariant vector field γ(t) = exp(tv). For a gauge transformation t -> t(xμ). Intuitively, what happens to the LIVF in the latter case? Is it just displaced to a different point in spacetime or something else? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution

Hello guys, In 90% of the papers I've read about diferent ways to achieve generalizations of the Proca action I've found there's a common condition that has to be satisfied, i.e: The number of degrees of freedom allowed to be propagated by the theory has to be three at most (two if the fields...

Hi all I have a shallow understanding of group theory but until now it was sufficient. I'm trying to generalize a problem, it's a Lagrangian with SU(N) symmetry but I changed some basic quantity that makes calculations hard by using a general SU(N) representation basis. Hopefully the details of...

Could you please help me to understand what is the difference between notions of «transformation» and «automorphism» (maybe it is more correct to talk about «inner automorphism»), if any? It looks like those two terms are used interchangeably. By «transformation» I mean mapping from some set...

Homework Statement Are these functions homomorphisms, determine the kernel and image, and identify the quotient group up to isomorphism? C^∗ is the group of non-zero complex numbers under multiplication, and C is the group of all complex numbers under addition. Homework Equations φ1 : C−→C...

Could somebody write the guide for calculate the degeneracy of energy band by group theory? For instance, the valence band of Si and Ge in Gamma point. Thanks a lot!

The group of moves for the 3x3x3 puzzle cube is the Rubik’s Cube group: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubik%27s_Cube_group. What are the groups of moves for NxNxN puzzle cubes called in general? Is there even a standardized term? I've been trying to find literature on the groups for the...

Homework Statement The dicyclic group of order 12 is generated by 2 generators x and y such that: ##y^2 = x^3, x^6 = e, y^{-1}xy =x^{-1} ## where the element of Dic 12 can be written in the form ##x^{k}y^{l}, 0 \leq x < 6, y = 0,1##. Write the product between two group elements in the form...

Homework Statement Consider the contractions of the 3D Euclidean symmetry while preserving the SO(2) subgroup. In the physics point of view, explain the resulting symmetries G(2) (Galilean symmetry group) and H(3) (Heisenberg-Weyl group for quantum mechanics) and give their Lie algebras...

The Galilean transformations are simple. x'=x-vt y'=y z'=z t'=t. Then why is there so much jargon and complication involved in proving that Galilean transformations satisfy the four group properties (Closure, Associative, Identity, Inverse)? Why talk of 10 generators? Why talk of rotation as...

Homework Statement I am supposed to construct a controlled Hadamard gate using only single qubit and CNOT gates. Homework Equations [/B] We know that any arbitrary unitary Operator U can be written as the Martrix product U=AXBXC, where X is the NOT-Matrix and ABC=1 (identity matrix) I've...

Hi, so I have just a small question about cyclic groups. Say I am trying to show that a group is cyclic. If I find that there is more than one element in that group that generates the whole group, is that fine? Essentially what I am asking is that can a cyclic group have more than one generator...

How can you prove that there can only be 2 possible four-element group?

Hey there! I just want to ask if there are any books you would like to recommend that helps in studying high energy physics and HEP data analysis? Also can you recommend a good book for group theory and symmetry? I would be glad if you have links to free downloadable books. Thanks in advance!

Just out of curiosity, what would a proof of ##a^m a^n = a^{m+n}## amount to? Of course obviously if you have n of one thing and m of another you get m+n, but I am wondering if this is rigorous enough, or if you need induction.

Hello. I will be attending a course on Group theory and the book that the professor suggests is Georgi's Lie Algebras in Particle Physics. As I liked Zee's book on General Relativity, I thought that it would be a blast to also use his Group theory textbook for the course. Problem is that I don't...

Homework Statement Let ##({a, b, c}, *,+)## be a finite field. Complete the field table for the operations ##*## and ##+## ##\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|} \hline * & a & b & c \\ \hline a & ? & ? & ? \\ \hline b & ? & ? & ? \\ \hline c & ? & ? & b \\ \hline \end{array}## ##\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|}...

I have been long interested in how one might find all of the 240 unique solutions to the SOMA cube puzzle since receiving one for Christmas in 1968. If one were to find all of the solutions (many of them are "similar" and there is an interesting variety "similar" to boot) . . how best to...

Homework Statement Let ##A,B## be subgroups of a finite abelian group ##G## Show that ##\langle g_1A \rangle \times \langle g_2A \rangle \cong \langle g_1,g_2 \rangle## where ##g_1,g_2 \in B## and ##A \cap B = \{e_G\}## where ##g_1 A, g_2 A \in G/A## (which makes sense since ##G## is abelian...

Homework Statement I have an exercise that I do not know how to solve. ##N## is a nucleon field, in the fundamental representation of ##SU(4)##. We want to classify operators by their ##SU(4)## transformation properties, bearing in mind that the nucleon is a fermion and we need antisymmetric...

The textbook proves that ##x^a x^b = x^{a+b}## by an induction argument on b. However, is an induction argument really necessary here? Can't we just look at the LHS and note that there are a ##a## x's multiplied by ##b## x's, so there must be ##a+b## x's?

Hi everybody, I have a question: is an abelian group can be isomorphic to a non-abelian group? Thank you everybody.

I am looking for an accessible textbook in group theory. The idea here is to use it to learn basic group theory in order to take up Galois Theory. My background includes Calculus I-IV, P/Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics including some graph theory, Linear algebra, and am currently...

Is it mathematically correct to call any group operation in ##(G,\cdot)## composition?

Homework Statement Let ##R(\theta) = \left( \begin{array}{cc} \cos(\theta) & -\sin(\theta)\\ \sin(\theta)& \cos(\theta)\\ \end{array} \right) \in O(2)## represent a rotation through angle ##\theta##, and ##X(\theta) = \left( \begin{array}{cc} \cos(\theta) & \sin(\theta)\\ \sin(\theta)&...

I was reading some lecture notes on super-symmetry (http://people.sissa.it/~bertmat/lect2.pdf, second page). It is stated that ". In order for all rotation and boost parameters to be real, one must take all the Ji and Ki to be imaginary". I didn't understand the link between the two. What does...

Hello I have a question about the uniqueness of the inverse element in a groupoid. When we were in class our profesor wrote ##\text{Let} (M,*) \,\text{be a monoid then the inverse (if it exists) is unique}##. He then went off to prove that and I understood it, however I got curious and started...

Are there any good examples of how group theory can be applied to solve multivariate algebraic equations? The type of equations I have in mind are those that set a "multilinear" polynomial (e.g. ## xyz + 3xy + z##) equal to a monomial (e.g. ##x^3##). However, I'd like to hear about any sort...

In quantum field theory, we use the universal cover of the Lorentz group SL(2,C) instead of SO(3,1). (The reason for this is, of course, that representations of SO(3,1) aren't able to describe spin 1/2 particles.) How is the invariant speed of light enocded in SL(2,C)? This curious fact of...

From my reading, the X between SU(4)XSU(2) mean Cartesian product. But How the way to mutiply two matrix A in SU(4) and B in SU(2). Example the matrix A=\begin{pmatrix} a & b & c & d \\ e& f & g & h \\ i & j & k & l \\ m & n& o & p \end{pmatrix} and B=\begin{pmatrix} 1 &2 \\ 3 &4...

I'm in my 3rd year of a physics degree, with plans to study further in graduate school. I am currently enrolled in a group theory class, as I have heard it can be useful in many fields (particularly solid state physics, which I am interested in learning more about). However, so far all we have...

Homework Statement Good day, From my reading, SU(4) have 15 parameter and SU(2) has 3 paramater that range differently with certain parameter(rotation angle). And all the parameter is linearly independent to each other. My question are: 1. What the characteristic of each of the parameter? 2...

Hello, what are some good books to learn group theory for physicists at an undergraduate level? Is Zee's Group Theory in a Nutshell good? Thanks in advance

While investigating various aspects of generalised least action principles over the last several years I have come across an algebraic mathematical group that I am finding hard to classify but whose root vectors should relate to the standard model (no it is not E8 ! nor any exceptional group I...

Hi, I saw that group theory is a significant asset for some physics, and math topics. I had some fundamental knowledge, but I am really keen on learning group theory deeply , so Is there a nice source( video links, books... whatever comes to your mind ) to leap further in this topic remarkably?

Homework Statement Write ##C_3\langle x|x^3=1\rangle## and ##C_2=\langle y|y^2=1\rangle## Let ##h_1,h_2:C_2\rightarrow \text{ Aut}(C_3\times C_3)## be the following homomorphisms: $$h_1(y)(x^a,x^b)=(x^{-a},x^{-b})~;~~~~~~h_2(y)(x^a,x^b)=(x^b,x^a)$$ Put ##G(1)=(C_3\times C_3)\rtimes_{h_1}C_2...

Homework Statement Let ##x \in G## and ##a,b \in \mathbb{Z}^+## Prove that ##x^{a+b} = x^a x^b##. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution If I am not mistaken, we would have to do multiple induction on ##a## and ##b## for the statement/proposition ##P(a,b) : x^{a+b} = x^a x^b##. First we...