Quotient law and the curl in index notation

In summary, the quotient law in vector calculus describes how to differentiate a quotient of vector fields, particularly focusing on the curl operation. In index notation, this involves expressing vector components and their derivatives, allowing for a clear mathematical representation of the curl of a ratio of vectors. The treatment emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper tensor indices and applying product rules to ensure accurate results in vector field analysis. This approach facilitates easier manipulation and understanding of complex vector relationships in various applications of physics and engineering.
  • #1
SiennaTheGr8
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In index notation, the curl can be expressed in a way where the quotient law would seem to "fail." There must be a subtlety that I'm missing.
If I'm not mistaken, the curl can be expressed like this in index notation:

##(\nabla \times \vec v)^i = \epsilon^{i j k} \nabla_j v_k = \epsilon^{i j k} (\partial_j v_k - \Gamma^m_{j k} v_m) = \epsilon^{i j k} \partial_j v_k ##

(where the last equality is because ##\epsilon^{i j k}\Gamma^m_{j k}## is both symmetric and anti-symmetric in ##j## and ##k##). But now with ##(\nabla \times \vec v)^i = \epsilon^{i j k} \partial_j v_k##, doesn't the quotient law say that ##\partial_j v_k## is a tensor, even though it obviously isn't? Clearly I'm wrong. Is there a subtlety to the quotient law that I'm missing?
 
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  • #2
Quotient law is not applicable here because ##\epsilon## is not an arbitrary tensor.
 
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