Understanding Physics with a Rank 4 Tensor Example

[SteDolan]

Hi,

Can somebody give me an example of a rank 4 tensor in physics?

Thanks.

 

[Bill_K]

Sure, one would be the Riemann curvature tensor R_ijkl that's used in general relativity.

 

[SteDolan]

Thanks.

It was an odd small part of an exam question when my module had only covered examples up to 3rd rank.

 

[orhit]

Third order nonlinear susceptibility is another example of 4th rank tensor.