- #1
pmb
[SOLVED] Tensor Analysis - Request for opinion
Seems that a few people refer to things like vectors and tensors as quantities which are invariant. For example
Dr. Bertschinger (Cosmologist at MIT) has online notes at http://arcturus.mit.edu/8.962/notes/gr1.pdf
"Introduction to Tensor Calculus for General Relativity,"
In it he writes
"Scalars and vectors are invariant under coordinate transformations;
vector components are not."
this meaning that the vector is a geometric quantity which has a coordinate independant meaning. Call this Meaning Number 1
This is an unusual use of the term "invariant" since that term usually is synonymous with scalar = tensor of rank zero. Call this Meaning Number 2
My question is this - How many go by #1 and how many go by #2 and how many dirive the meaning from context?
Thank you for your opinion.
Pete
Seems that a few people refer to things like vectors and tensors as quantities which are invariant. For example
Dr. Bertschinger (Cosmologist at MIT) has online notes at http://arcturus.mit.edu/8.962/notes/gr1.pdf
"Introduction to Tensor Calculus for General Relativity,"
In it he writes
"Scalars and vectors are invariant under coordinate transformations;
vector components are not."
this meaning that the vector is a geometric quantity which has a coordinate independant meaning. Call this Meaning Number 1
This is an unusual use of the term "invariant" since that term usually is synonymous with scalar = tensor of rank zero. Call this Meaning Number 2
My question is this - How many go by #1 and how many go by #2 and how many dirive the meaning from context?
Thank you for your opinion.
Pete
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