Index Notation of div(a:b) and div(c^transpose d)

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    Divergence Tensor
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the index notation for the divergence of products involving tensors of various ranks, specifically focusing on the divergence of a fourth rank tensor with a second rank tensor and a third rank tensor with a vector. The participants explore the mathematical expressions and notations used in these contexts, including covariant and contravariant formulations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the index notation of the divergence of a product of a fourth rank tensor and a second rank tensor, as well as that of a third rank tensor and a vector.
  • Another participant provides examples of index notation for divergence, suggesting that the divergence of a product can be expressed in various ways depending on the indices chosen for contraction.
  • A different participant expresses uncertainty about the covariant and contravariant formulations and proposes a specific mathematical expression for the divergence, questioning the notation used.
  • One participant seeks clarification on the symbols ":" and ".", explaining their meanings in the context of tensor operations and addressing the interpretation of indices in the notation.
  • Another participant clarifies the meaning of the ":" symbol as summation over repeated subscripts and the "." symbol as matrix-vector multiplication, while also discussing the indexing conventions used in their examples.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of familiarity with the notation and concepts involved, leading to some confusion and requests for clarification. There is no consensus on the interpretation of certain symbols or the best way to express the divergence in index notation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the understanding of covariant and contravariant formulations, as well as the interpretation of specific symbols and index conventions. The discussion highlights the potential for confusion when applying Einstein summation convention in different contexts.

chowdhury
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TL;DR
What is the index notation for divergence of tensor?
What is the index notation of divergence of product of 4th rank tensor and second rank tensor?

What is the index notation of divergence of 3rd rank tensor and vector?

div(a:b) = div(c^transpose. d)
Where a = 4th rank tensor, b is second rank tensor, c is 3rd rank tensor and d is a vector.
 
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A^{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}B_{\alpha\beta}:=F^{\mu\nu}
or
C^{\mu\nu\alpha}D_{\alpha}:=F^{\mu\nu}
and its divergence is
\frac{\partial F^{\mu\nu}}{\partial x^\nu}=F^{\mu\nu}_{\ \ \ ,\nu}:=G^{\mu}
or in GR with covariant derivative
F^{\mu\nu}_{\ \ \ :\nu}:=G^{\mu}
For all these equations you have to appoint which index and which index should be contracted by dummy indexes. The above shown is an example from many other possible ways.
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I am not familiar with the covariant and contra-variant formulations and their manipulations. Can it be written as below? $$ div(a:b) + \frac {\partial^2 G} {\partial t^2} = div(c^{transpose}. d) $$ $$ (a_{ijkl}b_{kl})_{,j} + G_{i,tt}= (c_{ijk}^{transpose} d_{,k}),j $$
$$ (a_{ijkl}b_{kl})_{,j} + G_{i,tt}= (c_{kij} d_{,k}),j $$
 
I am not familiar with the symbols ":" and "." used here. Someone will confirm it.

Is d a scalar as you show gradient ##d,_k## ? I am not sure how to interpret "transpose" for 3 indexes entity as ##c_{ijk}##. Einstein summation convention is usually for 4-spacetime coordinates, i.e. i=0,1,2,3. It may cause confusion to apply it for i=1,2,3 not including t.

I prefer to note ",t,t" than ",tt" for applying time derivative twice but it would be just a matter of taste.
 
Last edited:
1.) ":" means summation over repeated subscripts like $$a_{ijkl} b_{kl}$$ here sum over k and l for allowed.
2.) "." is just a matrix vector multiplication, like $$c_{ijk}d_{k}$$ summ over all allowed k.
3.) It is certainly allowable for index i, j,k,l to include with or without 0, as depending on the problem, here in my case, space, these are from the set of {x,y,z} or {1,2,3}, and 0 does not exist, as I exclusively denote time
4.) I mentioned in my original post d is a vector, for 3D, it is a (3x1) vector, for 2D it is a (2x1) vector.
 

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