asymmetry

/æ'simitri/

Thân thiện

The artist intentionally creates asymmetry in the sculpture's design.

Definition

Noun 1. A lack of symmetry or balance between parts of a whole; the condition of being asymmetrical. This refers to a state where two sides or halves are not identical or mirror images of each other. - The asymmetry of the building's design made it a unique landmark. 2. (Mathematics) A specific lack of symmetry in a shape, function, or arrangement. This is a formal term for when an object or equation does not exhibit symmetry under a particular transformation, such as reflection or rotation.

Usage Examples

• General Use:
  • The artist deliberately used asymmetry in the painting to create a sense of dynamic tension.
  • Facial asymmetry is perfectly normal; no one's face is perfectly symmetrical.
• Scientific/Mathematical Use:
  • The physicist studied the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the early universe.
  • In geometry, an irregular pentagon is a clear example of asymmetry.

Advanced Usage

• "Information Asymmetry": A situation in an economic transaction where one party has more or better information than the other.
  • Information asymmetry between buyers and sellers can lead to market inefficiencies.
• "Bilateral Asymmetry": Asymmetry between the two sides of a bilaterally symmetrical organism.
  • The crab exhibited bilateral asymmetry, with one claw significantly larger than the other.

Variants and Related Words

• Asymmetric (adj): Not symmetrical.
  • The vase had an asymmetric shape.
• Asymmetrically (adv): In an asymmetric manner.
  • The leaves were arranged asymmetrically on the stem.

Synonyms

• Imbalance: A lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things.
• Irregularity: The state or quality of being irregular, not even or balanced.
• Lopsidedness: Having one side lower or smaller than the other.

Antonyms

• Symmetry: The quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.
• Balance: An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
• Equilibrium: A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Symmetry breaking": (Physics) A phenomenon where small fluctuations acting on a system crossing a critical point decide the system's fate, leading to asymmetry.
  • Symmetry breaking is a crucial concept in particle physics and cosmology.
• "Chirality" or "Handedness": A type of asymmetry where an object is not identical to its mirror image (like left and right hands).
  • Many biological molecules exhibit chirality, meaning they exist in "left-handed" and "right-handed" forms.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (mathematics) a lack of symmetry

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dissymmetry
• imbalance