Tensor calculus Definition and 102 Threads

  1. ibkev

    B Tensor Calculus vs Tensor Analysis?

    I've seen the terms tensor calculus and tensor analysis both being used - what is the difference?
  2. Jianphys17

    Differential Geometry book with tensor calculus

    Hi, there is a book of dg of surfaces that is also about tensor calculus ? Currently i study with Do Carmo, but i am looking for a text that there is also the tensor calculus! Thank you in advance
  3. redtree

    A Help with covariant differentiation

    I'm having trouble evaluating the following expression (LATEX): ##\nabla_{i}\nabla_{j}T^{k}= \nabla_{i} \frac{\delta T^{k}}{\delta z^{j}} + \Gamma^{k}_{i m} \frac{\delta T^{m}}{\delta z^{i}} + \Gamma^{k}_{i m} \Gamma^{m}_{i l} T^{l}## What are the next steps to complete the covariant...
  4. M

    A Does My Understanding of Tensor Calculus and Divergence Look Correct?

    Hi PF! I have a question on the dyadic product and the divergence of a tensor. I've never formally leaned this, although I'm sure it's published somewhere, but this is how I understand the operators. Can someone tell me if this is right or wrong? Let's say I have some vector ##\vec{V} = v_x i +...
  5. J

    A Covariant derivative definition in Wald

    I'm working through Wald's "General Relativity" right now. My questions are actually about the math, but I figure that a few of you that frequent this part of the forums may have read this book and so will be in a good position to answer my questions. I have two questions: 1) Wald first defines...
  6. W

    Derivation of the Christoffel symbol

    I'm reading Zee's Gravity book, can anyone help me understand the explanation on this part, I understand everything except the last part, he said to use (I.4.14) so that I could solve for the quantity shown in the image, what does he mean by that and how?
  7. W

    Transformation to locally flat coordinates

    I'm reading A. Zee's GR book and I'm in the section in which he is showing how to transform coordinates to be locally flat in a neighborhood of a point. He said that we can always choose our neighborhood to be locally flat for any space of any dimension D. "Look at how the metric transforms...
  8. W

    Curvature at the origin of a space as described by a metric

    Homework Statement This is a problem from A. Zee's book EInstein Gravity in a Nutshell, problem I.5.5 Consider the metric ##ds^2 = dr^2 + (rh(r))^2dθ^2## with θ and θ + 2π identified. For h(r) = 1, this is flat space. Let h(0) = 1. Show that the curvature at the origin is positive or negative...
  9. D

    Lie derivative of tensor field with respect to Lie bracket

    I'm trying to show that the lie derivative of a tensor field ##t## along a lie bracket ##[X,Y]## is given by \mathcal{L}_{[X,Y]}t=\mathcal{L}_{X}\mathcal{L}_{Y}t-\mathcal{L}_{Y}\mathcal{L}_{X}t but I'm not having much luck so far. I've tried expanding ##t## on a coordinate basis, such that...
  10. Mentz114

    Tensor Calculus Problem: Simplifying Terms with Index Exchange

    If you don't like indexes, look away now. I got these terms from a tensor calculus program as part of a the transformed F-P Lagrangian. \begin{align} {g}^{b a}\,{g}^{d e}\,{g}^{f c}\,{X}_{a,b c}\,{X}_{d,e f}\\ +{g}^{b a}\,{g}^{c f}\,{g}^{e d}\,{X}_{a,b c}\,{X}_{d,e f}\\ +{g}^{b a}\,{g}^{c...
  11. U

    Lowering Indices: Tensor Calculus Basics

    At low speeds and assuming pressure ##P=0##, T^{\alpha \beta} = \rho U^\alpha U^\beta g_{\alpha \mu} g_{\gamma \beta} T^{\alpha \beta} = \rho g_{\alpha \mu} g_{\gamma \beta} U^\alpha U^\beta T_{\gamma \mu} = \rho U_\mu U^\beta g_{\gamma \beta} Setting ##\gamma = \mu = 0##: T_{00} = \rho...
  12. U

    Contracting \mu & \alpha - What Does It Mean?

    What do they mean by contracting ##\mu## with ##\alpha## ?
  13. U

    Is Acceleration Perpendicular to Velocity in Energy-Momentum Tensor Algebra?

    Homework Statement (a) Show acceleration is perpendicular to velocity (b)Show the following relations (c) Show the continuity equation (d) Show if P = 0 geodesics obey: Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a SolutionPart (a) U_{\mu}A^{\mu} = U_{\mu}U^v \left[ \partial_v U^{\mu} +...
  14. U

    Einstein Tensor - Particle at rest?

    Homework Statement (a)Find Christoffel symbols (b) Show the particles are at rest, hence ##t= \tau##. Find the Ricci tensors (c) Find zeroth component of Einstein Tensor Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Part (a)[/B] Let lagrangian be: -c^2 \left( \frac{dt}{d\tau}\right)^2 +...
  15. U

    Flat Space - Christoffel symbols and Ricci = 0?

    Homework Statement [/B] (a) Find christoffel symbols and ricci tensor (b) Find the transformation to the usual flat space form ## g_{\mu v} = diag (-1,1,1,1)##. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Part(a) [/B] I have found the metric to be ## g_{tt} = g^{tt} = -1, g_{xt} = g_{tx} =...
  16. Abolaban

    Tensor calculus> definition of contravariants

    Hello Big minds, In the book of Arfken [Math Meth for Physicists] p 134 he defined contravariant tensor...my question is about a_ij he defined them first as cosines of an angle of basis then he suddenly replaced them by differential notation...why is that? cosines are not mention in this...
  17. F

    Understanding Covariant Derivative & Parallel Transport

    Hello, I try to apprehend the notion of covariant derivative. In order to undertsand better, here is a figure on which we are searching for express the difference \vec{V} = \vec{V}(M') - \vec{V}(M) : In order to evaluate this difference, we do a parallel transport of \vec{V}(M') at point...
  18. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Understanding Tensors for General Relativity: A Comprehensive Guide

    Hi all, I'm fairly new to GR, and I'm also somewhat new to tensors as well. I'm looking for some detailed explanation of a tensor, as I want to begin studying GR mathematically. I watched a video that was posted on PF not too long ago that was pretty good. I'm having trouble remembering who it...
  19. J

    Calculation and application of dyadic Green's function

    Hello everyone: I'm confusing with the construction and application of dyadic green's function. If we are in the ideal resonant system where only certain resonant mode is supported in this space (such as cavity), the Green's function can be constructed by the mode expansion that is: Gij(r,r')...
  20. U

    What Are the Steps to Solve Faraday Tensor and Index Notation Problems?

    Homework Statement (a) Find faraday tensor in terms of ##\vec E## and ## \vec B ##. (b) Obtain two of maxwell equations using the field relation. Obtain the other two maxwell equations using 4-potentials. (c) Find top row of stress-energy tensor. Show how the b=0 component relates to j...
  21. Telemachus

    Tensor calculus, dummy indices

    Hi there. When I have dummy indices in a tensor equation with separate terms, I wanted to know if I can rename the dummies in the separate terms. I have, in particular: \displaystyle w_k=-\frac{1}{4}\epsilon_{kpq}\left [ \frac{\partial u_p}{\partial x_q}-\frac{\partial u_q}{\partial x_p}...
  22. B

    Tensor calculus independent study questions?

    I'm a mathematics major and up until now I've taken Calc 1,2,3 (so single + multivariable) a combined course in Elementary Linear Algebra + Differential Equations and PDE's. My school doesn't offer any tensor calculus classes, but I was interested in learning some of it on my own. Do I have...
  23. aditya ver.2.0

    What is Tensor Calculus and How is it Related to Differential Geometry?

    I have started to learn a bit about Tensor calculus and it all going above my head. May anyone give a brief outline about the topic (preferably theoretical) and the supplementary concepts attached to it.
  24. aditya ver.2.0

    Understanding the Role of Tensor Calculus in General Relativity

    In an attempt to solve the mystery of dark energy, I came across problems concerned with the General Relativity. In it, I observed that many of the problems were related with the tensor calculus. I want to know that what importance does tensor calculus hold in GR? Are there any other fields of...
  25. C

    Why Can't We Do Algebraic Methods with Tensors?

    Hello everyone! Even though I have done substantial tensor calculus, I still don't get one thing. Probably I am being naive or even stupid here, but consider $$R_{\mu\nu} = 0$$. If I expand the Ricci tensor, I get $$g^{\sigma\rho} R_{\sigma\mu\rho\nu} = 0$$. Which, in normal algebra, should...
  26. C

    Derivations of Einstein field equations

    Hello Everyone, I have read many derivations of Einstein field equations (done one myself), but none of them explain why the constant term should have a $$c^4$$ in the denominator. the 8πG term can be obtained from Poisson's equation, but how does c^4 pop up? Most of the books just derive it...
  27. putongren

    Introduction to Tensor Calculus, Relativity Homework

    I already have the solutions emailed to me from a D H Lawden textbook. I have trouble understanding the solution as the solution is not formatted properly, and the answer seems to be a little too advanced for me. I hope that some one can help me understand the problem. 1. Homework Statement...
  28. Telemachus

    Tensor calculus, gradient of skew tensor

    Hi there. I was dealing with the derivation on continuum mechanics for the conservation of angular momentum. The derivation I was studying uses an arbitrary constant skew tensor ##\Lambda##. It denotes by ##\lambda## its axial vector, so that ##\Lambda=\lambda \times## Then it defines...
  29. G

    What Are the Best Books for Mastering Tensor Calculus?

    Hi guys, I am interested to learn tensor calculus but I can't find a good book that provide rigorous treatment to tensor calculus if anyone could recommend me to one I would be very pleased.
  30. P

    Attempting to learn tensor calculus

    Hello all, After a brief break from attempting to learn tensor calculus, I'm once again back at it. Today, I started reading this: http://web.mit.edu/edbert/GR/gr1.pdf. I got to about page 4 before things stopped making sense, right under equation 3. Question 1: apparently a "one-form" is a...
  31. J

    Scalar, vector and tensor calculus

    I noticed that sometimes exist a parallel between scalar and vector calculus, for example: ##v=at+v_0## ##s=\int v dt = \frac{1}{2}at^2 + v_0 t + s_0## in terms of vector calculus ##\vec{v}=\vec{a}t+\vec{v}_0## ##\vec{s}=\int \vec{v} dt = \frac{1}{2}\vec{a}t^2 + \vec{v}_0 t + \vec{s}_0##...
  32. wavepart7cle

    Einstein's applications of tensor calculus

    Hey everyone, I recently learned that my certified genius weird-uncle-who-lives-at-home (IQ over 200 something, legitimate 'genius') or WULAH for short, passes his spare time by lounging around his place and doing tensor calculus. I've done some calc in 3d in college and I know that's commonly...
  33. A

    Tensor Calculus: Modern Books with Physics Examples

    Hello, could someone recommend a good book on tensor calculus? I'd like it to be relatively modern (I have an old book) and maybe contain some examples drawn from physics. Chapters on related subjects such as differential forms and calculus of variations would be a plus. Cheers.
  34. I

    Tensor calculus for general relativity question.

    Use the metic that Einstein proposed in the first cosmological model based on general relativity. ds2 = -dt2 + (dr2) / (1 - Kr2) + r2(dθ2 + sin2θd\phi2) where K > 0 Show that the stress energy tensor is that of a static, spatially uniform perfect fluid and determine ρ and p in terms of G and...
  35. J

    Trace - Integration - Average - Tensor Calculus

    Hi Let D be an anisotropic tensor. This means especially, that D is traceless. \mathrm{tr}(D) = 0 Apply the representating matrix of D to a basis vector S , get a new vector and multiply this by dot product to your basis vector. Than you got a scalar function. Now integrate this...
  36. A

    Is the Determinant of a Covariant Tensor of Order 2 an Invariant of Weight 2?

    Question: Let Aij denote an absolute covariant tensor of order 2. Show that the determinant A = det(Aij ) is an invariant of weight 2 and A is an invariant of weight 1. I have little clue about this question. Would writting down the transformation rule from barred to unbarred 2nd-order tensor...
  37. T

    Am I ready to learn tensor calculus? And what's a good book for it?

    Hi, the only thing I know is differential and integral calculus for functions with 1 variable and the basics of linear algebra (solving linear systems with matrices, determinants, etc...) . I'm currently learning differential and integral calculus for real functions with multiple real variables...
  38. C

    Help w/ Tensor Calc Homework: Bijk Properties Under Rotations

    Homework Statement if BijkAjk is a vector for all symmetric tensors Ajk, (but Bijk is not necessarily a tensor), what are the properties of Bijk under rotations of the basis/coordinate axes? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am not sure what the question is looking for... though I...
  39. S

    Tensor Calculus General Theory of Relativity

    Hello I have huge problems with the following exercise. Please give me some hints. No complete Solutions but a little bit help. Find the differential equations of the paths of test particles in the space-time of which the metric ist \mathrm{d}s^2 = e^{2kx} \left[- \left( \mathrm{d}x^2...
  40. X

    Any suggestions for understanding notation in Tensor Calculus?

    I have a book that I've been reading off and on: https://www.amazon.com/dp/012200681X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 It's enjoyable but the only issue I'm having with it is the notation used, still. The book is definitely good at what it wants to achieve, which is a bridging text to the math for...
  41. J

    Tensor Calculus Questions: Christoffel, Riemann & Ricci Tensors

    Dear Friends I have two questions to do about Tensor Calculus: 1) Is there any program to calculate Christoffel Symbols, Riemann and Ricci Tensors and everything about Tensor Calculus (Free or paid)? 2) When in an exercise anyone asks to use the Euclidean metric or Riemann metric, what...
  42. W

    Tensor calculus for general relativity

    I'm taking a course on relativity, both special and general. According to my college, I have the required mathematical background (vector analysis, electromagnetics (though I can't recall more than a cursory glance at tensors) etc) to make sense of it. Special relativity I can handle, and I...
  43. M

    The book Introduction to tensor calculus and continuum mechanics

    the book "Introduction to tensor calculus and continuum mechanics" hi please help me ! i've try to find appendix d of this or solution that excersise anyone can help me ? any link or full version of this book thart have "appendix d" my english languge not good sorry thanks a lot bye
  44. J

    Complete set of answers to Schaum's Tensor Calculus

    I am studying Schaum's Tensor Calculus by Kay. I am attempting to work through every solved problem (covering up the answers, first) and every supplementary problem. I am not a student. My day job is computational chemistry, so I can only do this in my spare time (whatever that is!). A...
  45. O

    Learning Tensor Calculus: Struggling and Need Help!

    I am trying to teach myself Tensor Calculus from a book. I am stuck. Websites and reading don't help. I need to see how the problems are actually done. Does anyone know of any videos or tutors that can help? Tried everything but no luck. At least if you can see a problem worked in class then you...
  46. J

    Notational problem in tensor calculus

    Using the Einstein convention, is this about right? (indexes run from 1 to 3): \nabla\bullet(x_{i}a)=div(x_{i}a)=\partial_{j}a_{j}x_{i}=3x_{i}
  47. M

    Tensor Calculus: Ellipse Equation & Transformation to Cartesian Coordinates

    Homework Statement equation of ellipse may be written ax^2 + 2hxy + by^2 =1 What is the tensor charater of a, h, b with respect to transformation to any Cartesian coordinates(rectangle or oblique) in the plane? Homework Equations none The Attempt at a Solution no idea
  48. Astronuc

    Introduction to Tensor Calculus and Continuum Mechanics

    Here is a free and downloadable textbook on Tensor Calculus. http://www.math.odu.edu/~jhh/counter2.html Scroll to bottom of page to find pdf files.
  49. P

    Help Solve a Mystery: Lawden's "An Introduction to Tensor Calculus

    Hi, Anyone out there have Lawden's book, "An Introduction to Tensor Calculus, Relativity and Cosmology"? Expression 39.13 (on p 109) and the sentence that precedes it have me stumped. My understanding of what he's saying is that a symmetric quadratic form can always be diagonalized so that...
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