Understanding Group Theory and Vector Rotation in 3D

In summary, the conversation discusses the relation between rotation of a vector in a plane and the generator of rotations. The rotation representation using the rotation matrix and acting on a vector with the rotation matrix are shown to produce the same result. The spin one representation of a 3-dimensional vector is also mentioned. The use of the SO(3) matrix instead of the SO(2) matrix is noted to give the same result. The conversation also mentions the use of the J matrix and the expansion of e^{-i \theta J}.
  • #1
Phymath
184
0

Homework Statement

I'm trying to see the relation of the rotation of a vector in a plane to the generator of rotations...

I want to see how [tex]e^{-i \theta J}[/tex] the rotation representation gives you the same result as acting on any vector with the rotation matrix say with the z direction fixed.

[tex]
\[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc}
Cos(\theta) & -Sin(\theta) & 0 \\
Sin(\theta) & Cos(\theta) & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 1 \end{array} \right)\] = R_z [/tex]

is [tex] R_z \textbf{v} = e^{-i \theta J_z^{(1)}} \textbf{v} [/tex]

because a 3 dimensional vector has a spin one representation (right? because one full rotation gives the same vector back)

with [tex] J_z^{(1)} = \[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc}
1 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & -1 \end{array} \right)\] [/tex]

I get [tex] e^{-i \theta J_z^{(1)}} = \sum\frac{(-i \theta)^n}{n!}(J_z)^n = Cos(\theta)(J_z)^2-i J_z^{(1)} Sin(\theta) [/tex]

[tex]
e^{-i \theta J_z^{(1)}}= \[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc}
Cos(\theta)-i Sin(\theta) & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & Cos(\theta)+i Sin(\theta) \end{array} \right)\] [/tex]

when this matrix is applied to the vector [tex]\textbf{v}[/tex] it doesn't produce the same effect someone help finish the missing pieces thanks!
 
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  • #2
ok I used the SO(3) matrix instead of SO(2) and that does give back the same matrix however if i still do it in 3-d i don't get the same matrix back

[tex]
R(d\theta) = I - i d\theta J \rightarrow J =
\[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc}
0 & -i & 0 \\
i & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right)\]
[/tex]

if you expand [tex] e^{-i \theta J} = \[ \left( \begin{array}{ccc}
Cos(\theta) & -Sin(\theta) & 0 \\
Sin(\theta) & Cos(\theta) & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right)\]
[/tex]
with out the 1 in the bottom right (3,3)entry whys this?
 

FAQ: Understanding Group Theory and Vector Rotation in 3D

What is Group Theory?

Group Theory is a branch of mathematics that studies the algebraic structures known as groups. A group is a set of elements that are subject to certain operations and follow specific rules, such as closure, associativity, identity, and inverse.

What are the applications of Group Theory?

Group Theory has various applications in different fields, such as physics, chemistry, computer science, and cryptography. In physics, it is used to describe symmetries and conservation laws, while in chemistry, it helps in understanding molecular structures. In computer science, it is used in algorithms and data structures, and in cryptography, it is used to design secure encryption systems.

How is a group defined?

A group is defined by a set of elements and a binary operation that combines any two elements in the set to produce another element in the set. The operation must also satisfy the four group axioms: closure, associativity, identity, and inverse. These axioms ensure that the group is a well-defined algebraic structure.

What are the types of groups?

There are various types of groups, such as finite, infinite, abelian, non-abelian, cyclic, dihedral, and permutation groups. Finite groups have a finite number of elements, while infinite groups have an infinite number of elements. Abelian groups are commutative, meaning the order of operations does not matter, while non-abelian groups are not commutative. Cyclic groups are generated by a single element, and dihedral groups are symmetries of regular polygons. Permutation groups are used to study group actions and symmetries of objects.

What are the basic group theory concepts?

Some of the basic concepts in group theory include subgroups, cosets, normal subgroups, group homomorphisms, isomorphisms, and group actions. Subgroups are subsets of a group that also form a group under the same operation. Cosets are sets of elements that are obtained by multiplying a fixed element of the group to a subgroup. Normal subgroups are subgroups that are invariant under conjugation by any element of the group. Group homomorphisms are functions that preserve the group operation, and isomorphisms are bijective homomorphisms. Group actions describe how a group acts on a set, and they have applications in symmetry and combinatorics.

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