Axial symmetry
Encyclopedia
Axial symmetry is symmetry
around an axis; an object is axially symmetric if its appearance is unchanged if rotated around an axis . For example, a baseball bat
or a tea saucer
looks the same if it is rotated by any angle about the line passing lengthwise through its center, so it is axially symmetric.
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
around an axis; an object is axially symmetric if its appearance is unchanged if rotated around an axis . For example, a baseball bat
Baseball bat
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the game of baseball to hit the ball after the ball is thrown by the pitcher. It is no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches in length. It typically weighs no more than 33 ounces , but it...
or a tea saucer
Saucer
A saucer is a small type of dishware, a plate that is specifically used with and for supporting a cup – a cylindrical cup intended for coffee or a half-sphere teacup for tea. Additionally, the saucer is a distant cousin to the plate. The saucer has a raised centre with a depression sized to fit a...
looks the same if it is rotated by any angle about the line passing lengthwise through its center, so it is axially symmetric.
See also
- Rotational symmetryRotational symmetryGenerally speaking, an object with rotational symmetry is an object that looks the same after a certain amount of rotation. An object may have more than one rotational symmetry; for instance, if reflections or turning it over are not counted, the triskelion appearing on the Isle of Man's flag has...
has a more general discussion - Chiral symmetryChiral symmetryIn quantum field theory, chiral symmetry is a possible symmetry of the Lagrangian under which the left-handed and right-handed parts of Dirac fields transform independently...
describes the use in quantum mechanics