Fundamentals of Tensor Analysis University of （大学的张量分析基础）.pdf

MCEN 5023/ASEN 5012 Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Tensor Analysis Fall, 2006 1 Fundamentals of Tensor Analysis Concepts of Scalar, Vector, and Tensor Scalar α A physical quantity that can be completely described by a real number. Example: Temperature; Mass; Density; Potential…. The expression of its component is independent of the choice of the coordinate system. Vector a A physical quantity that has both direction and length. Example: Displacement; Velocity; Force; Heat flow; …. The expression of its components is dependent of the choice of the coordinate system. Tensor A A 2nd order tensor defines an operation that transforms a vector to another vector A tensor contains the information about the directions and the magnitudes in those directions. In general, Scalar is a 0th order tensor; Vector is A 1st order tensor; 2nd order tensor; 3rd order tensor… 2 Fundamentals of Tensor Analysis Vectors and Vector Algebra A vector is a physical quantity that has both direction and length What do we mean the two vectors are equal? X3 a The two vectors have the same length and direction What is a unit vector? X2 The length of a unit vector is one