Tensor algebra — 68 discussions

  1. K

    Transformation rule for product of 3rd, 2nd order tensors

    1. Problem statement: Assume that u is a vector and A is a 2nd-order tensor. Derive a transformation rule for a 3rd order tensor Zijk such that the relation ui = ZijkAjk remains valid after a coordinate rotation.Homework Equations : [/B] Transformation rule for 3rd order tensors: Z'ijk =...
  2. meyol99

    Graduate Describe movement of particles with one equation?

    Hello everybody, I have a new thread to post,it is very important to find a solution for this : -Imagine a box full of air particles.The particles are forced to move to a point A on the edge of the box.My question is now,how can I mathematicly describe the movement of these particles toward...
  3. &

    Graduate Tensor product of two one-forms in differential geometry

    I'm relatively new to differential geometry and would like to check that this is the correct definition for the tensor product of (for simplicity) two one-forms \alpha,\;\beta\;\;\in V^{\ast} : (\alpha\otimes\beta)(\mathbf{v},\mathbf{w})=\alpha (\mathbf{v})\beta (\mathbf{w}) where...
  4. U

    Is Acceleration Perpendicular to Velocity in Energy-Momentum Tensor Algebra?

    Homework Statement (a) Show acceleration is perpendicular to velocity (b)Show the following relations (c) Show the continuity equation (d) Show if P = 0 geodesics obey: Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a SolutionPart (a) U_{\mu}A^{\mu} = U_{\mu}U^v \left[ \partial_v U^{\mu} +...
  5. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Graduate Learning tensor math to work through GR solutions

    Hi all, I'm fairly new to GR, and I'm also somewhat new to tensors as well. I'm looking for some detailed explanation of a tensor, as I want to begin studying GR mathematically. I watched a video that was posted on PF not too long ago that was pretty good. I'm having trouble remembering who it...
  6. sweetdreams12

    How do I correctly manipulate tensor components in different coordinate systems?

    Homework Statement A tensor and vector have components Tαβγ, and vα respectively in a coordinate system xμ. There is another coordinate system x'μ. Show that Tαβγvβ = Tαβγvβ Homework Equations umm not sure... ∇αvβ = ∂vβ/∂xα - Γγαβvγ The Attempt at a Solution Tαβγvβ =...
  7. C

    Graduate Why Can't We Do Algebraic Methods with Tensors?

    Hello everyone! Even though I have done substantial tensor calculus, I still don't get one thing. Probably I am being naive or even stupid here, but consider $$R_{\mu\nu} = 0$$. If I expand the Ricci tensor, I get $$g^{\sigma\rho} R_{\sigma\mu\rho\nu} = 0$$. Which, in normal algebra, should...
  8. Telemachus

    Tensor algebra, divergence of cross product

    Hi there. I wanted to demonstrate this identity which I found in a book of continuum mechanics: ##curl \left ( \vec u \times \vec v \right )=div \left ( \vec u \otimes \vec v - \vec v \otimes \vec u \right ) ## I've tried by writting both sides on components, but I don't get the same, I'm...
  9. P

    Variation of the action using tensor algebra.

    Homework Statement Hi, I have a problem calculating the variation of the action using tensor algebra because two derivative indices are causing some problem. Homework Equations Generally you have the action S = \int L(A^{\mu}, A^{\mu}_{\;,\nu}, x^{\mu})d^4x where: A ^{\mu}=...
  10. N

    Books on Tensor Algebra: Good Reading Material Sources

    Does anyone know any good reading material on Tensor Algebra? Cannot seem to find good book about it. Thanks Also, I apologise if I post this in the wrong section.
  11. J

    Graduate Tensor algebra with derivative of the metric

    I am trying to proove that the following relation: A_{\nu} \partial_{\mu} \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu} = A_{\nu} \partial^{\mu} \partial^{\nu} A_{\mu} The only way I found is by setting: A_{\nu} \partial_{\mu} \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu} = A_{\nu} \partial_{\mu} \partial^{\nu} g^{\mu \sigma}...
  12. R

    Checking tensor algebra steps for contracting with metric tensor

    Homework Statement {u^i} = {g^{kj}} A _{kj}^i just trying to modify it, not sure of my tensor algebra. Is this right? {u^i} = {g^{kj}} A _{kj}^i {u^i} = g_a^j{g^{ka}} A _{kj}^i g_j^a{u^i} = {g^{ka}} A _{kj}^i Just not sure if there should have been a metric contraction, with the resulting D...
  13. B

    Undergrad Where to find worked examples of tensor algebra for solid mechanics?

    Does anyone have a good resource of worked examples on simple (ish) tensor algebra? By way of background I'm a mechanical engineer tackling computatonal solid mechanics and my class notes aren't exactly helpful. I have Holzapfel's 'Nonlinear Solid Mechanics' and while very useful I like to learn...
  14. B

    Tensor algebra in electromagnetic fields

    Homework Statement The angular momentum density in the electromagnetic field is defined in terms of the momentum density (3.6, BELOW) by \textbf{L}_{EM} = \textbf{x}\times\textbf{P}_{EM} = \textbf{x}\times(\textbf{E}\times\textbf{B})/\mu_{0}c^2 Show that if the continuity equation for...
  15. Q

    Why Does \(\nabla_{c} E_{ab} = 0\) Follow from the Anti-Symmetry of \(E_{ab}\)?

    Homework Statement Problem 2, chapter 3 of Wald's General Relativity. The details don't matter much, but it is given a totally anti-symetric tensor field Eab such that EabEab=2(-1)^(s), s being the signature of the metric. I have checked a solution to the exercise, and somewhere during the...
  16. P

    Graduate Clifford algebra isomorphic to tensor algebra or exterior algebra?

    Unfortunately there seems to be a misprint in the paper I'm reading which is an introduction to clifford algebra, it says:(I highlighted in red possible misprint, either one of them has to be true misprint if you know what I mean) The Clifford algebra C(V) is isomorphic to the tensor algebra...
  17. J

    Undergrad Is Tensor Algebra Necessary to Understand General Relativity?

    Hi Please tell me if tensor algebra is neccesary for understanding GR. I don't know anything about tensor algebra. Thanks in anticipation Abhishek Jain
  18. S

    Graduate How Does Tensor Algebra Apply in Quantum Field Theory?

    Hi, I need some help understanding basic tensor algebra, especially differentiation. The subject I'm studying is quantum field theory, so I'll use examples from there. First let's start with a real scalar field. This has a Lagrangian density given by \mathcal{L} =...