Circular symmetry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Circular symmetry in mathematical physics applies to a 2-dimensional field which can be expressed as a function of distance from a central point only. This means that all points on each circle take the same value. Symmetry is used in math. An example would be magnetic field intensity in a plane perpendicular to a current-carrying wire. A pattern with circular symmetry would consist of concentric circles.
The 3-dimensional equivalent term is spherical symmetry. A scalar field has spherical symmetry if it depends on the distance to the origin only, such as the potential of a central force. A vector field has spherical symmetry if it is in radially inward or outward direction with a magnitude and orientation (inward/outward) depending on the distance to the origin only, such as a central force.
[edit] See also
- Quasi crystal inspired pentagon tile by Alexander Braun.
- rotational symmetry
- particle in a spherically symmetric potential
- Gauss's theorem
