Fixed points of isometry groups in Euclidean space

A fixed point of an isometry group is a point that is a fixed point for every isometry in the group. For any isometry group in Euclidean space the set of fixed points is either empty or an affine space.

For an object, any unique center and, more generally, any point with unique properties with respect to the object is a fixed point of its symmetry group.

In particular this applies for the centroid of a figure, if it exists. In the case of a physical body, if for the symmetry not only the shape but also the density is taken into account, it applies to the center of mass.

If the set of fixed points of the symmetry group of an object is a singleton then the object has a specific center of symmetry. The centroid and center of mass, if defined, are this point. Another meaning of "center of symmetry" is a point with respect to which inversion symmetry applies. Such a point needs not be unique; if it is not, there is translational symmetry, hence there are infinitely many of such points. On the other hand, in the cases of e.g. C_3h and D₂ symmetry there is a center of symmetry in the first sense, but no inversion.

If the symmetry group of an object has no fixed points then the object is infinite and its centroid and center of mass are undefined.

If the set of fixed points of the symmetry group of an object is a line or plane then the centroid and center of mass of the object, if defined, and any other point that has unique properties with respect to the object, are on this line or plane.

1D

Line

Only the trivial isometry group leaves the whole line fixed.

Point

The groups generated by a reflection leave a point fixed.

2D

Plane

Only the trivial isometry group C₁ leaves the whole plane fixed.

Line

C_s with respect to any line leaves that line fixed.

Point

The point groups in two dimensions with respect to any point leave that point fixed.

3D

Space

Only the trivial isometry group C₁ leaves the whole space fixed.

Plane

C_s with respect to a plane leaves that plane fixed.

Line

Isometry groups leaving a line fixed are isometries which in every plane perpendicular to that line have common 2D point groups in two dimensions with respect to the point of intersection of the line and the planes.

• C_n ( n > 1 ) and C_nv ( n > 1 )
• cylindrical symmetry without reflection symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the axis
• cases in which the symmetry group is an infinite subset of that of cylindrical symmetry

Point

All other point groups in three dimensions

No fixed points

The isometry group contains translations or a screw operation.

Arbitrary dimension

Point

One example of an isometry group, applying in every dimension, is that generated by inversion in a point. An n-dimensional parallelepiped is an example of an object invariant under such an inversion.

References

Slavik V. Jablan, Symmetry, Ornament and Modularity, Volume 30 of K & E Series on Knots and Everything, World Scientific, 2002. ISBN 9812380809