Another way to look at it: A polar vector (or true vector) has the component normal to the mirror reversed upon reflection. Pseudovectors don't. Stand in front of a mirror and point straight at your reflection. Your reflection is pointing back at you, opposite the direction you are pointing. Now rotate some object so that the axis of rotation is into the mirror. The axis of rotation reflected image is also into the mirror, unaffected by the reflection.copernicus1 said:I think I get it. A pseudovector, after being reflected, is also reversed in direction. A vector is simply reflected.
Pseudoscalars and pseudovectors are mathematical concepts used to describe the behavior of certain physical quantities in three-dimensional space. Pseudoscalars are scalar quantities that are invariant under coordinate transformations, while pseudovectors are vector quantities that change direction under coordinate transformations.
Regular scalars and vectors behave the same way under coordinate transformations, while pseudoscalars and pseudovectors do not. This means that pseudoscalars and pseudovectors can have different values depending on the coordinate system used, while regular scalars and vectors will have the same value regardless of the coordinate system.
Pseudoscalars are commonly used to describe quantities such as magnetic flux and angular momentum, while pseudovectors are used to describe quantities such as torque and magnetic field. Other examples include quantities related to rotation, such as the Coriolis force and the angular velocity of a spinning object.
Pseudoscalars and pseudovectors are important in understanding symmetry and conservation laws in physics. In particular, the presence of pseudoscalars or pseudovectors can indicate the breaking of certain symmetries, and their conservation or non-conservation can reveal important information about the underlying physical laws.
Pseudoscalars and pseudovectors are used in a variety of scientific fields, including particle physics, electromagnetism, and fluid dynamics. They are also important in understanding the behavior of systems with rotational symmetry, such as crystals and molecules. Additionally, they play a role in the development of new theories and models in physics.