Covariant and Contravariant Vector

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of covariant and contravariant vectors, specifically focusing on the calculation of components for a given covariant vector field at a specific point. Participants explore the notation and definitions related to these vectors and tensors, as well as the calculations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a covariant vector field and requests help in determining the components of both covariant and contravariant tensors.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the notation used, specifically regarding the distinction between covariant and contravariant indices.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the meaning of the symbols \(\overline{V_\alpha}\) and \(\overline{V}^{\alpha}\) and asks for further explanation.
  • There is a suggestion that the calculations presented appear correct, but the context and meaning of the symbols are unclear.
  • One participant asserts that \(\overline{V_{\alpha}}\) represents a covariant tensor and \(\overline{V^{\alpha}}\) represents a contravariant tensor, but expresses difficulty in calculating the latter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding the notation and calculations, and there is no consensus on the interpretation of the symbols or the approach to finding the components of the contravariant tensor.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions and notation used for covariant and contravariant tensors, as well as the specific calculations needed to derive the components of \(\overline{V^{\alpha}}\).

andrey21
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I have been given the following problem:

The covariant vector field is:

\(v_{i}\) = \begin{matrix} x+y\\ x-y\end{matrix}What are the components for this vector field at (4,1)?

\(v_{i}\) = \begin{matrix} 5\\ 3\end{matrix}

Now I can use this information to solve the following:\(\bar{V_\alpha}\)But am unsure for \(\bar{V^\alpha}\).

I imagine it would be a similar approach with a few changes. Any help would be brilliant thank you :o
 
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If you mean to write a matrix, you could have used
Code:
\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}
to output
$$\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}$$

Let us fix some notation here: are you using lower indexes to indicate covariant tensors and upper to indicate contravariant, or the other way around? Also, what are $\overline{V_\alpha}$ and $\overline{V}^{\alpha}$? I'm a little confused, if you could clarify perhaps we could arrive at an answer together. :D

At a first glance though, your calculations look correct, although I can't see where they headed because I don't understand what the symbols are meant to represent.
 
My calculations are quite long and would take me a very long time to write them out in LaTeX. I would like to include an attachment but am unsure how to delete old ones to make room.

Thanks :)
 
Hey AA23, you still haven't answered my last questions: what do these $\overline{V_\alpha}$, $\overline{V}^{\alpha}$ mean? Also, it seemed you had

$$v_i = \begin{bmatrix} x+y \\ x-y \end{bmatrix},$$

to which you applied at the point $(4,1)$, getting

$$v_i (4,1) = \begin{bmatrix} 5+1 \\ 5-1 \end{bmatrix}.$$

Are there other calculations? Also, we let column matrices denote vectors and we use line matrices to denote covetors, so perhaps that would be

$$v^i = \begin{bmatrix} x+y & x-y \end{bmatrix} .$$
 
\(\bar{V_{\alpha}}\) represents a covariant tensor

\(\bar{V^{\alpha}}\) represents a contravariant tensor Yes I can solve the question to find the components of

\(\bar{V_{\alpha}}\)

But come stuck when finding them for

\(\bar{V^{\alpha}}\)
 

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