What shape does SO(3)/A5 describe and how can it be visualized?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the geometric interpretation of the quotient space SO(3)/A5, which arises from the special orthogonal group in three dimensions mod the symmetries of an icosahedron. Participants assert that visualizing this shape involves collapsing points in SO(3) that correspond to rotational symmetries of the icosahedron, resulting in a structure in R^4. The consensus is that SO(3)/A5 can be represented as a pentagonal prism, reflecting the geometric properties associated with the faces of a dodecahedron.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special orthogonal groups, specifically SO(3)
  • Familiarity with algebraic topology concepts
  • Knowledge of symmetry groups, particularly A5
  • Basic comprehension of geometric visualization in R^4
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties and applications of SO(3) in physics and mathematics
  • Explore the role of symmetry groups in algebraic topology
  • Learn about the geometric representation of quotient spaces
  • Investigate the relationship between polyhedra and their symmetry groups
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mathematicians, students of algebraic topology, and anyone interested in the geometric implications of symmetry in higher-dimensional spaces.

nateHI
Messages
145
Reaction score
4
I was watching this video on Abstract Algebra and the professor was discussing how at one point a few mathematicians conjectured the special orthogonal group in ##\mathbb{R}^3## mod the symmetries of an icosahedron described the shape of the universe (near the end of the video).

My question is, what shape does ##SO(3)/A_5## describe? Also, I just started a course in algebraic topology so forgive my ignorance; but, is it correct to say that a good way to try and picture this shape would be to imagine shrinking all the points in ##SO(3)## corresponding to a rotational symmetry of an icosahedron to a point? If I understand correctly this would produce something in ##\mathbb{R^4}##.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The elements of SO(3) can be parameterised by a unit vector n, describing the direction of the rotation axis, and an angle phi. All the unit vectors lie on a sphere surface with antipodal points identified. If you take the angle as radial coordinate, you get a ball. Then SO(3)/A5 is probably a pentagonal prism corresponding to the face of a dodecahedron or the like.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
12K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K