Is SU(2) a True Gauge Group in Light of E8 and Penrose's Views on Symmetry?

In summary: Your Name]In summary, the conversation discusses the E8 development and its potential role in unification. The standard model of particle physics is a broken symmetry, and the Electroweak Weight Diagrams accurately reflect this. E8 is a proposed mathematical structure that is being explored as a potential framework for unification. There is ongoing scientific effort and collaboration in this field to better understand these concepts.
  • #1
Charles Wilson
55
1
Hello everyone-

I've tried to keep up with E8, but lately the Google-ing isn't as productive as it used to be.
I assume that there has been no Show Stopper and the push for E8 Unification continues. So: Concerning the E8 development:

Roger Penrose states in _The Road to Reality_ p. 653 (ISBN 978-0-679-77631-4 ):

"It is less clear to me, in the conventional attitude to the standard model, the group SU(2) can be taken actually as a gauge group, while being so severely broken. Some might take this SU(2) as reflecting some kind of 'hidden symmetry' which is really exact and acts only 'potentially' as a gauge group, and the electroweak theory is some kind of external manifestation of this."

If you take, for example, the Electroweak Weight Diagrams in the SciAm article by Lisi and Weatherall, do these exhibit the "More Perfect Symmetry" implied by Penrose or is the broken symmetry shown "as is", as an amalgam of Hypercharge and Weak Force? If the E8 diagrams show a "broken symmetry", what would the new diagram (reflecting a more perfect symmetry) look like?

CW
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


Hello CW,

Thank you for bringing up this interesting topic. As a scientist working in the field of particle physics, I can assure you that the search for unification and understanding of symmetries is a constant and ongoing effort.

Regarding your question about the E8 development, I believe it is important to first clarify that E8 is a mathematical structure that has been proposed as a potential framework for unification. It is not yet an accepted theory or model in the scientific community, but rather a theoretical concept that is being explored.

In regards to Penrose's statement, it is true that the standard model of particle physics, which includes the gauge group SU(2), is a broken symmetry. This means that the symmetry is not exact, but rather broken at the energy scales we observe in our universe. This is a fundamental aspect of the standard model and is supported by experimental evidence.

As for the Electroweak Weight Diagrams, they do not exhibit a "more perfect symmetry" as implied by Penrose. They accurately represent the broken symmetry of the standard model, with the amalgamation of Hypercharge and Weak Force. If E8 were to be incorporated into the standard model, it would likely require modifications to the current diagrams to reflect this new framework.

I hope this helps clarify the current understanding of E8 and its potential role in unification. As always, scientific progress is a collaborative effort and these concepts are constantly evolving. Thank you for your interest and contribution to the discussion.

 

FAQ: Is SU(2) a True Gauge Group in Light of E8 and Penrose's Views on Symmetry?

What is the Broken SU(2) Model?

The Broken SU(2) Model is a mathematical framework used to describe the behavior of elementary particles. It is based on the Special Unitary Group SU(2) in quantum field theory, which describes the symmetries of particles and their interactions. In this model, the SU(2) symmetry is broken, resulting in the appearance of mass in particles.

How does the Broken SU(2) Model relate to Penrose and E8?

The Broken SU(2) Model is often used in conjunction with the Penrose tiling and the E8 lattice to study the properties of particles and their interactions. The Penrose tiling is a geometric pattern that can be used to represent certain symmetries in the Broken SU(2) Model, while the E8 lattice is a mathematical structure that helps to describe the symmetries of particles. Together, these three concepts provide a powerful framework for understanding the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

Can the Broken SU(2) Model explain all particle interactions?

No, the Broken SU(2) Model is just one aspect of the Standard Model of particle physics, which is a theory that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions. The Standard Model also includes the Strong and Weak nuclear forces, as well as the electromagnetic force. Together, these theories provide a comprehensive understanding of particle interactions.

What are some real-world applications of the Broken SU(2) Model?

The Broken SU(2) Model has been used to make predictions about the behavior of particles in particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider. It has also been used in the study of condensed matter systems, such as superconductors. Additionally, the concepts of symmetry and broken symmetry, which are central to the Broken SU(2) Model, have applications in various fields of physics and mathematics.

Are there any current research developments in the field of Broken SU(2), Penrose, and E8?

Yes, there is ongoing research in this field, particularly in the study of supersymmetry and the search for new particles. There is also ongoing work to better understand the connections between the Broken SU(2) Model, Penrose, and E8, and how they can be applied to other areas of physics. Additionally, there are efforts to test the predictions of these theories through experiments and observations.

Similar threads

Penrose's "The Road to Reality" - Objection to Broken Electroweak Symmetry?
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top