Applications of the theory of groups in mechanics and physics. (Q1886065)

In the book a many of applications of the group theory to the solution and systematization of problems in the theory of differential equations, classical mechanics, relativity theory, quantum mechanics and elementary particle physics are presented. All considerations are given in the frames of the common general scheme. When a system of differential equations \(S\) describes a physical phenomenon \(F\) with certain symmetry, then the most significant properties of this phenomenon \(F\) are directly connected with the representations and the invariants (covariants) of the symmetry group associated with the system \(S\). Thus, the logic scheme of the book is based on the use of the group theoretical methods in the different domains of physics where the symmetry properties play an important role. The book is organized as follows: 1. Elements of general theory of groups. Basic notions: notion of group, basic definitions and theorems, representations of groups, the \(\text{SO}(3)\) group. Topological groups: definitions, generalities, Lie groups, Lie algebras, unitary representations. Particular Abelian groups: the groups of real numbers and of discrete translations, \(\text{SO}(2)\) and \(C_n\) groups. 2. Lie groups: The \(\text{SO}(3)\) group: rotations, parametrization of \(\text{SO}(3)\) and \(\text{O}(3)\), functions defined on \(\text{O}(3)\), infinitesimal generators. The \(\text{SU}(2)\) group: parametrization, functions defined on \(\text{SU}(2)\), infinitesimal generators. The \(\text{SU}(3)\) and \(\text{GL}(n, \mathbb C)\) groups: \(\text{SU}(2)\) Lie algebra, infinitesimal generators, parametrization of \(\text{SU}(3)\), the \(\text{GL}(n, \mathbb C)\) and \(\text{SU}(n)\) groups. The Lorentz group: Lorentz transformations, parametrization and infinitesimal generators. 3. Symmetry groups of differential equations: Differential operators: \(\text{SO}(3)\) and \(\text{SO}(n)\), \(\text{SU}(2)\) and \(\text{SU}(3)\). Invariants and differential equations: preliminary consideration, invariant differential operators. Symmetry group of certain differential operators: central functions, characters, \(\text{SO}(3)\), \(\text{SU}(2)\) and \(\text{SU}(3)\), direct product of irreducible representations. 4. Applications in mechanics: Classical model of mechanics: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, invariance of Lagrange and Hamilton equations, Noether's theorem and its reciprocal. Symmetry laws and applications: Lie groups with one and \(m\) parameters, symplectic and Euclidean groups. Space-time symmetries. Conservation laws: particular groups, Noether's theorem and its reciprocal, Hamilton-Jacobi equation for a free particle. Applications in the theory of vibrations: general consideration, transformations of normal coordinates. 5. Applications in the theory of relativity and theory of classical fields: Theory of special relativity: preliminary consideration, applications. Theory of electromagnetic field: Noether's theorem, conformal transformations in four dimensions. Theory of gravitational field: general equations, conservation laws in the Riemann space. 6. Application in quantum mechanics and physics of elementary particles: Non-relativistic quantum mechanics: invariance properties, angular momentum, spin. Internal symmetry of elementary particles: isospin and \(\text{SU}(2)\), unitary spin and \(\text{SU}(3)\). Relativistic quantum dynamics: basic equations, symmetry groups, elementary particle interactions. The book provides simple introduction to the subject and requires as preliminaries only the mathematical knowledge acquired by a student in a technical university. In the book only the Lie groups, the corresponding Lie algebras and their linear representations are considered in detail.