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vtheone
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What is a tensor quantity and how is it different from vector and scalar qantities? Also why is pressure a tensor quantity?
The best source I could recommend for you on this topic is a book by J.F. Nye "Physical Properties of Crystals and their Representation by Tensors and Matrices". His description of what tensors are all about is extremely clear, and I think you might find it good reading.vtheone said:What is a tensor quantity and how is it different from vector and scalar qantities? Also why is pressure a tensor quantity?
vtheone said:What is a tensor quantity and how is it different from vector and scalar qantities? Also why is pressure a tensor quantity?
A tensor quantity is a mathematical concept that describes the relationship between different physical quantities and their respective directions in space. It is a multi-dimensional array of numbers that transforms in a specific way under coordinate transformations.
A scalar quantity is a single number that represents the magnitude of a physical quantity, while a vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. A tensor quantity, on the other hand, has multiple components that represent the magnitude and direction of a physical quantity in different coordinate systems.
Some common examples of tensor quantities include stress tensors in solids, strain tensors in fluids, and electromagnetic tensors in electromagnetism. They are also commonly used in fields such as mechanics, thermodynamics, and general relativity.
Tensor quantities are used in various fields of science to describe the physical properties of complex systems. They are especially useful in studying systems that involve multiple directions and dimensions, such as fluid flow, stress and strain in materials, and the behavior of electromagnetic waves.
Imagine a rubber sheet with a grid drawn on it. When you stretch or compress the sheet, the grid lines also change their shape and orientation. A tensor quantity is like this grid, representing the direction and magnitude of a physical quantity as it changes with respect to different coordinate systems. This allows us to accurately describe and analyze complex physical systems using mathematics.