Can tensors be equal in all coordinate systems?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around properties of tensors in different coordinate systems, specifically addressing tasks related to the equality of tensor components across these systems. The original poster presents two tasks: one concerning the vanishing of tensor components and the other regarding the equality of two tensors based on their components in a specific coordinate system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of tensor components being zero in one coordinate system and how that translates to other systems. There is discussion about the transformation of tensor components and the reasoning behind the equality of tensors based on their components. Some participants question the formal proof of these properties and the intuition behind them.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and questioning assumptions. There is a suggestion that proving one task may facilitate the proof of the other. Some participants express uncertainty about the formal proof of the properties discussed, indicating a need for further exploration of the concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the formal definitions and proofs related to tensor properties, particularly in the context of linear transformations and their effects on tensor components. There is also a mention of specific examples, such as stress tensors, to illustrate the concepts being discussed.

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Homework Statement


Task 1. Show that if components of any tensor of any rank vanish in one particular coordinate system they vanish in all coordinate systems.

Task 2. The components of tensor T are equal to the corresponding components of tensor W in one particular coordinate system; that is, [tex]T^0_{ij} = W^0_{ij}[/tex].
Show that tensor T is equal to tensor W, [tex]T_{ij} = W_{ij}[/tex] in all coordinate systems.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


task 1. I have no idea how to start
task 2. transforming to the any other coordinate system I obtain:

[tex]T_{i'j'} = A_{i'}^i A_{j'}^j T^0_{ij} = A_{i'}^i A_{j'}^j W^0_{ij} = W_{i'j'}[/tex] is it ok?
 
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If you can do 2 you can do 1 by taking [itex]W_{ij}= 0[/itex]]!

But it is easiest to prove 2 by proving 1 first:
You apparently know that if [itex]T^0_{ij}[/itex] are the components of T in one coordinate system, then the coordinates [itex]T_{i'j'}[/itex] in any coordinates system are given by [itex]T_{i'j'}= A^i_{i'}A^j_{j'}T^0_{ij}[/itex]. Okay what if all components of [itex]T^0_{ij}[/itex] are 0?

And if [itex]T^0_{ij}= W^0_{ij}[/tex], then [itex]T^0_{ij}- W^0_{ij}[/itex] is also a tensor, with all components 0.[/itex]
 
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Well the fact from the 1st task is for me intuitive but I don't understand it's formal proof. Because when some components of [tex]T_{ij}[/tex] are 0 (but not all) than the [tex]T_{i'j'}[/tex] can have no 0 components. So why when all components of [tex]T_{ij}[/tex] are 0 then [tex]T_{i'j'}[/tex] are 0 as well? Is it because changing coordinate system is a linear transformation and so 'A(0)=0'?
 
Am I right?
 
stress is an example of a tensor...If we have a bar (cuboid with a length much greater than other dimensions), and we apply axial forces to it, then there are only normal stresses...however, if we now cut off a piece from it diagonally, then on the inclined surface so obtained, we have both normal and shear stresses...so the same thing appears different in two different perspectives...is this also a basic property of tensors??
 
Please help!
 

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