Stress Tensor vs Stress Matrix: What's the Difference?

[DC.Shivananda]

Hi,can u please tell me the difference between the Stress tensor & the Stress matrix...

 

[Mapes]

Hi DC.Shivananda, welcome to PF!

There is no difference. Stress is a second-rank tensor, which is equivalent to a matrix. (For comparison, a first-rank tensor is a vector, and a zero-rank tensor is a scalar.)

 

[dav2008]

Hi DC.Shivananda, welcome to PF!

There is no difference. Stress is a second-rank tensor, which is equivalent to a matrix. (For comparison, a first-rank tensor is a vector, and a zero-rank tensor is a scalar.)

That's somewhat true, depending on how rigorous you want to be.

A matrix is the representation of a tensor in a certain coordinate system. The tensor itself exists regardless of coordinate system, but you can only put it in matrix form once you define a coordinate system.

 

[Mapes]

Ah, good point!