Graduate Index notation and partial derivative

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around the proper interpretation and expansion of an expression involving index notation and partial derivatives. A participant seeks clarification on whether the summation indices apply over i and j, and whether the resulting expression yields a scalar, vector, or tensor. It is clarified that the expression can be interpreted as a sum of squared partial derivatives, leading to a scalar result. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between partial and ordinary derivatives in notation. Overall, the key takeaway is that the expression ultimately represents a scalar quantity.
sanson
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

I am having some problems expanding an equation with index notation. The equation is the following:

$$\frac {\partial{u_i}} {dx_j}\frac {\partial{u_i}} {dx_j} $$

I considering if summation index is done over i=1,2,3 and then over j=1,2,3 or ifit does not apply.
Any hint on this would be much appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org
:welcome:

That's not an equation, that's an expression. I imagine it means:

$$\sum_{i = 1}^{N} \sum_{j = 1}^{N} \frac {\partial{u_i}} {dx_j}\frac {\partial{u_i}} {dx_j} $$ Where the order of the summations is not important.
 
Dear Perok,

Thanks for both, the correction and the explanation. I imagine the same solution but I am not always so sure with the index notation applied to partial derivatives...

to further clarify, that expression gives always an scalar? Or there is not enough information to affirm that?
 
sanson said:
Dear Perok,

Thanks for both, the correction and the explanation. I imagine the same solution but I am not always so sure with the index notation applied to partial derivatives...

to further clarify, that expression gives always an scalar? Or there is not enough information to affirm that?
It depends how you define a scalar.
 
Let’s say ##u## is the velocity vector and the partial derivative are spatial derivative of the velocity vector. I am wondering if I am getting a single number, a vector or a tensor.
 
sanson said:
Let’s say ##u## is the velocity vector and the partial derivative are spatial derivative of the velocity vector. I am wondering if I am getting a single number, a vector or a tensor.
A number.
 
sanson said:
Hi all,

I am having some problems expanding an equation with index notation. The equation is the following:

$$\frac {\partial {u_i}} {dx_j}\frac {\partial{u_i}} {dx_j} $$

I considering if summation index is done over i=1,2,3 and then over j=1,2,3 or ifit does not apply.
Any hint on this would be much appreciated
With the corrections shown below, the expression above looks to me like it could also be written as $$\left(\frac{\partial u_i} {\partial x_j} \right)^2$$
Note that in partial derivatives you don't mix the partial derivative symbol ##\partial## with the ##d## used in ordinary derivatives.

OTOH, if the intent was to write a 2nd partial derivative, it could be written like this:
$$\frac {\partial}{ \partial x_j} \left(\frac {\partial u_i} {\partial x_j}\right) $$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K