The Broken Symmetry of Time

Journal Article · Tue Nov 29 00:00:00 EST 2011 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3663714· OSTI ID:21612191

Kastner, Ruth E ^[1]

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1. Department of Philosophy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 (United States)

This paper seeks to clarify features of time asymmetry in terms of symmetry breaking. It is observed that, in general, a contingent situation or event requires the breaking of an underlying symmetry. The distinction between the universal anisotropy of temporal processes and the irreversibility of certain physical processes is clarified. It is also proposed that the Transactional Interpretation of quantum mechanics offers an effective way to explain general thermodynamic asymmetry in terms of the time asymmetry of radiation, where prior such efforts have fallen short.

• OSTI ID: 21612191
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1408, Issue 1; Conference: Conference on quantum retrocausation: Theory and experiment, San Diego, CA (United States), 13-14 Jun 2011; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3663714; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ANISOTROPY
ASYMMETRY
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SYMMETRY
SYMMETRY BREAKING
T INVARIANCE
THERMODYNAMICS
TIME MEASUREMENT
ELECTRODYNAMICS
FIELD THEORIES
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MECHANICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY