Point Groups in Three Dimensions - 3D Isometries That Leave Origin Fixed

3D Isometries That Leave Origin Fixed

The isometries of R3 that leave the origin fixed, forming the group O(3,R), can be categorized as follows:

  • SO(3,R):
    • identity
    • rotation about an axis through the origin by an angle not equal to 180°
    • rotation about an axis through the origin by an angle of 180°
  • the same with inversion (x is mapped to −x), i.e. respectively:
    • inversion
    • rotation about an axis by an angle not equal to 180°, combined with reflection in the plane through the origin perpendicular to the axis
    • reflection in a plane through the origin

The 4th and 5th in particular, and in a wider sense the 6th also, are called improper rotations.

See also the similar overview including translations.

Read more about this topic:  Point Groups In Three Dimensions

Famous quotes containing the words leave, origin and/or fixed:

    If women’s role in life is limited solely to housewife/mother, it clearly ends when she can no longer bear more children and the children she has borne leave home.
    Betty Friedan (20th century)

    Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed,—a, to me, equally mysterious origin for it.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    The word “obligation” is very seldom in my thoughts, and consequently very seldom is it uttered by my tongue. For I am satisfied that whoever hath the word “obligation” continually in his mouth hath the love of tyranny steadily fixed in his heart.
    Sarah Fielding (1710–1768)