conservation of parity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “conservation of parity” mean?
A principle in particle physics stating that parity (the symmetry of spatial inversion) is conserved in all fundamental interactions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A principle in particle physics stating that parity (the symmetry of spatial inversion) is conserved in all fundamental interactions.
The law that the laws of physics are identical under mirror reflection; the principle was discovered to be violated in weak nuclear interactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Used exclusively in advanced academic or historical physics contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “conservation of parity” in a Sentence
[violation/principle] of conservation of parityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conservation of parity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The weak force does not conserve parity.
- They sought to determine which interactions conserved parity.
American English
- The experiment proved the interaction does not conserve parity.
- For years, physicists assumed all forces conserved parity.
adjective
British English
- The conservation-of-parity principle was long held to be true.
- A parity-conserving process.
American English
- The conservation of parity law was overturned.
- A non-parity-conserving interaction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in advanced physics lectures and historical reviews of particle physics.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in theoretical particle physics and quantum mechanics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conservation of parity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conservation of parity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conservation of parity”
- Using it to refer to general symmetry or balance in non-scientific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to the symmetry property of a physical system under spatial inversion (a mirror reflection).
Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang theorised it, and Chien-Shiung Wu's team experimentally confirmed it in 1956-57.
No, it is conserved in gravitational, electromagnetic, and strong nuclear interactions, but violated in weak nuclear interactions.
Its violation was a major shock, showing that the universe is not perfectly symmetrical under mirror reflection, and it led to a Nobel Prize.
A principle in particle physics stating that parity (the symmetry of spatial inversion) is conserved in all fundamental interactions.
Conservation of parity is usually technical/scientific in register.
Conservation of parity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən əv ˈpærɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnsərˈveɪʃən əv ˈpærɪti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Parity is not conserved.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Conserve your mirror image; that's parity conservation. Breaking the mirror breaks the law.
Conceptual Metaphor
A perfect mirror world.
Practice
Quiz
In which type of interaction is conservation of parity known to be violated?