A little clarification on Cartesian tensor notation

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the definition and transformation of tensors in Cartesian three-dimensional space as outlined in Goldstein's second edition on page 192. A tensor of rank N is characterized by having 3^N components, denoted as T_{i j k...}, which transform under orthogonal coordinate transformations according to the equation T_{i j k \ldots}^{\prime}(\mathbf{x}^{\prime})=a_{i l} a_{j m} a_{k n} \ldots T_{l m n \ldots}(\mathbf{x}). The notation \mathbf{x} represents the position coordinates in space, indicating that tensors are functions of these coordinates, which change upon transformation. This understanding is essential for applying tensor notation in various physical contexts, such as stress and strain analysis.

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Kashmir
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Goldstein pg 192, 2 edIn a Cartesian three-dimensional space, a tensor ##\mathrm{T}## of the ##N## th rank may be defined for our purposes as a quantity having ##3^{N}## components ##T_{i j k}##.. (with ##N## indices) that transform under an orthogonal transformation of coordinates, ##\mathbf{A}##) according to the following scheme:*
##
T_{i j k \ldots}^{\prime} \left(\mathbf{x}^{\prime}\right)=a_{i l} a_{j m} a_{k n} \ldots T_{l m n \ldots}(\mathbf{x})
##

I've just a small doubt here:

What do the ##\mathbf{x}## mean here, are they vectors that multiply ##T## or is the author using them to signify the coordinate system in which the components of ##T## are calculated?
 
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In general the tensor is a function of the position ##\mathbf{x} \in \mathbf{R}^3## in space (e.g. stress, strain, electrical conductivity, etc. all depend on the position within the material). After changing coordinates, every point ##p## has been re-labelled by a new set of position coordinates ##\mathbf{x} \rightarrow \mathbf{x}' = \mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}##; hence why you also put a prime on the argument.
 
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ergospherical said:
In general the tensor is a function of the position ##\mathbf{x} \in \mathbf{R}^3## in space (e.g. stress, strain, electrical conductivity, etc. all depend on the position within the material). After changing coordinates, every point ##p## has been re-labelled by a new set of position coordinates ##\mathbf{x} \rightarrow \mathbf{x}' = \mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}##; hence why you also put a prime on the argument.
Thank you. Makes it perfectly clear! I :)
 
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