Spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) is a fundamental concept in physics where a system that is symmetric under certain transformations loses that symmetry in its ground state. This phenomenon is crucial in various fields, including particle physics and condensed matter physics. It occurs when the potential energy of a system has multiple minima, leading to a stable state that does not exhibit the original symmetry. Key examples include the Higgs mechanism in particle physics and phase transitions in materials.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of theoretical physics, and researchers interested in the implications of symmetry in physical systems will benefit from this discussion.
malawi_glenn said:Here you can read the basics, this is probably what someone here would have answered you (at least my self would have said something similar to the introduction section in this article)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_symmetry_breaking
I've done better job three years ago. Have a look at
www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=91910
regards
sam