Section 1.

2: Symmetry

Section Goals
You will learn

• what symmetry is in physics and its features.

• the most basic symmetries in physical systems;

translational, rotational, and reflection (parity)
symmetry for physical objects.

• that symmetry applies not only to physical objects but

also physical laws.
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Section 1.2: Symmetry

• Symmetry is a vital requirement of any physical law and

theory.
• Symmetry: Certain operations, such as rotation and
reflection, performed on systems and objects that do not
change its appearance

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Section 1.2: Symmetry

• In physics, not only the shape of objects but also

physical phenomena can be unchanged (invariant) under
symmetries.

• If the experimental results are unchanged by an

operation, the phenomena tested by the experiment
possess a certain symmetry.

• It then follows that any physical law that describes the

phenomena must also possess this symmetry.

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Section 1.2: Symmetry

Example 1: If moving (or translating) the apparatus to a

new location yields the same experimental results, then
the phenomenon possesses translational symmetry, and
the mathematical expressions (equations) of the laws
describing it should also possess this symmetry.

Example 2: Hook’s law ⊂ Newton’s 2nd law is invariant

under time translation t ! t + a (conserved energy),
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space translation x ! x + b, xeq ! xeq + b and

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reflection (parity) x ! x :
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d2 x
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m 2
= k x with x=x xeq
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Section 1.2: Symmetry

Exercise 1.3 Change is no change

Figure 1.6 shows a snowflake.
(a) Does the snowflake have rotational symmetry? If yes,
describe the ways in which the flake can be rotated
without changing its appearance.
(b) Does it have reflection symmetry? If yes, describe the
ways in which the flake can be split in two so that one half
is the mirror image of the other.

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Section 1.2: Symmetry

Exercise 1.3 Change is no change (cont.)

SOLUTION (a) Yes. The snowflake can be rotated by 60°
or a multiple of 60° (120°, 180°, 240°, 300°, and 360°) in
the plane of the photograph without changing its appearance
(Figure 1.7a). It therefore has rotational symmetry.

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Section 1.2: Symmetry

Exercise 1.3 Change is no change (cont.)

SOLUTION (b) Yes. The flake can be folded in half along
any of the three blue axes and along any of the three red axes
in Figure 1.7b. The flake therefore has reflection symmetry
about all six of these axes.

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Checkpoint 1.4

1.4 You always store your pencils in a cylindrical

case. One day while traveling in the tropics, you
discover that the cap, which you have placed back on
the case day in, day out for years, doesn’t fit over the
case. What do you conclude? Which symmetry is this
question about?

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