Broken Symmetry

Broken symmetry refers to a situation where a system that initially has a symmetrical structure or behavior becomes asymmetric due to some change or influence. In physics, this concept helps explain why certain fundamental forces and particles behave the way they do. For example, in the case of the universe, after the Big Bang, the symmetry of the initial state was broken, leading to the diverse elements and forces we observe today. Essentially, broken symmetry reveals how natural processes can transform an equal, balanced state into one that favors certain outcomes or configurations.