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Some consequences of time-reversal symmetry

University of British Columbia

The purpose -of this work is to discuss the symmetry, or lack of it, under reversal of motion in physical objects, states and processes. Considerations of such symmetry are made in both classical and quantum physics, notably in the problem of reconciling the assumed time-reversal symmetry of microscopic processes with the observed asymmetry of macroscopic processes. In the case of classical mechanics, a simple model of a free particle colliding with a series of almost stationary or stationary particles of smaller mass is introduced in order to show how a friction-like phenomenon can arise from processes all of which have symmetry under reversal of motion. It is maintained throughout that symmetry under reversal of motion is a property of all fundamental states and processes in nature.

Text

2011-09-29

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/37699

Physics

University of British Columbia

Graduate