Is Nature Symmetric? A Deeper Look

In summary: Space does not have any preferred direction, since no experiment, performed ideally, can spot in which direction we are pointing.The laws of physics take the form of differential equations. In order to find a solution to a differential equation you need both the law and also a set of boundary conditions. Even if the law is symmetric a solution may be asymmetric if the boundary conditions are asymmetric.
  • #1
GiuseppeR7
61
2
I guess that nature do not care about "directions". If I'm performing an experiment on (for example) light the result is invariant on the direction of the laboratory.
So why we observe directionality on the nature that we are observing around us?
Why "things" are definitively not symmetric? When the universe "was created" when and why it have taken a specific space direction?
 
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  • #2
GiuseppeR7 said:
If I'm performing an experiment on (for example) light the result is invariant on the direction of the laboratory.

What is 'the direction of the laboratory'?

GiuseppeR7 said:
When the universe "was created" when and why it have taken a specific space direction?

I don't know what this means. The universe cannot move, only objects within the universe can move.
 
  • #3
Just to be clear...if i have a lab here on Earth oriented to south the Maxwell equations (for example) are true if it is oriented to north the Mawell equations are still true and they have the same form. So nature does not have a preferred spatial direction. So why my home, for example, is facing North? Why it is not completely symmetric. Somewhere, sometime some physical phenomena have cleared displayed a preferred direction, why?
 
  • #4
I don't think there's an answer to that. That just seems to be the way the laws of nature work.
 
  • #5
ok
 
  • #6
The laws of nature take the form of differential equations. In order to find a solution to a differential equation you need both the law and also a set of boundary conditions. Even if the law is symmetric a solution may be asymmetric if the boundary conditions are asymmetric.

Such is the case with your house. Maxwells equations do not pick out a North oriented house, but rather the boundary conditions do. As a result, even though Maxwells equations treat all directions the same, one side of your house will receive more light energy than another.
 
  • #7
the house was just a metaphor...but supposing the problem to be true...why the BC are not symmetric? the problem is not solved but only transfered.
 
  • #8
Why would you assume that the boundary conditions should be symmetric? This isn't a problem to be solved, just a mistaken assumption to correct.
 
  • #9
I'm not talking about any pratical engineering problem. I'm just saying that space does not have any preferred direction, since no experiment, performed ideally, can spot in which direction we are pointing (just like the velocity, no experiment can say if we have speed or not...(some people say that velocity does not even exist for this reason)).
So, ASSUMING that space and the matter inside have evolved from a symmetrical state...when and why was the symmetry violated?
 
  • #10
GiuseppeR7 said:
I'm not talking about any pratical engineering problem.
Me neither. I am talking about the form of the laws of physics.
GiuseppeR7 said:
So, ASSUMING that space and the matter inside have evolved from a symmetrical state.
That is a bad assumption. The boundary conditions are not symmetrical.
 

FAQ: Is Nature Symmetric? A Deeper Look

What is symmetry in nature?

Symmetry in nature refers to the balanced and orderly patterns that can be observed in the physical world. It is the repetition of a particular shape, form, or arrangement across different scales or dimensions.

Is symmetry present in all aspects of nature?

Yes, symmetry can be found in various forms and levels in nature, including in living organisms, crystals, and even in the structure of the universe. It is a fundamental principle that governs the organization and functioning of the natural world.

How does symmetry contribute to the understanding of the natural world?

Symmetry provides a framework for understanding the relationships and connections between different elements in nature. It allows scientists to identify patterns and make predictions about the behavior and properties of natural phenomena.

Can symmetry be broken in nature?

Yes, symmetry can be broken in nature, particularly in dynamic systems or under certain conditions. This can lead to the emergence of new patterns and structures, as well as the creation of diversity and complexity in the natural world.

What are some examples of symmetry in nature?

Some examples of symmetry in nature include the bilateral symmetry of animals such as butterflies and humans, the radial symmetry of sea stars and flowers, and the fractal symmetry found in snowflakes and coastlines. Symmetry can also be observed in the arrangement of leaves on a stem, the spiral patterns of shells, and the symmetrical structure of crystals.

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