University Questions and Answers on tensors

K. M. Udayanandan
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad

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University Questions-Solved

1. What is contraction applied to tensors?

The algebraic operation by which the rank of a mixed tensor is low-
ered by 2 is known as contraction. In the process of contraction one
contravariant index and one covariant index of a mixed tensor are set
equal and the repeated index is summed over, the result is a tensor of
rank lower by two than the original tensor.

2. What is Levi-civita symbol?

It is named after the Italian mathematician and physicist Tullio Levi-
Civita. In three dimensions, the Levi-Civita symbol is defined as fol-
lows:




 +1 if (i, j, k) is (1, 2, 3), (3, 1, 2) or (2, 3, 1),


εijk = −1 if (i, j, k) is (1, 3, 2), (3, 2, 1) or (2, 1, 3),




0

if i = j or j = k or k = i

The Levi-Civita symbol is not a physical quantity but it is always

associated with some physical quantity.

3. What are contravarient, co-variant and mixed tensors? Show that ve-
locity and acceleration are contravarient and the gradient of a field is

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a covariant tensor.
Consider a set of n quantities A1 , A2 , A3 , ...An in a system of variables
xµ and these quantities have values Ā1 , Ā2 , Ā3 , ...Ān in another system
of variablesx̄µ . If these quantities obey the transformation relation

∂ x̄µ α
Āµ = A
∂xα

then the quantities Aα are said to be the components of a contravariant

vector or a contravariant tensor of rank one.
Consider a set of n quantities A1 , A2 , A3 , ...An in a system of variables
xµ and these quantities have values Ā1 , Ā2 , Ā3 , ...Ān in another system
of variablesx̄µ . If these quantities obey the transformation equation

∂xα
Āµ = Aα
∂ x̄µ

then the quantities Aα are said to be components of a covariant tensor

of rank one.

We have
X ∂x0
dx0i = i
dxj
j
∂x j

Differentiating , We get velocity

dx0i X ∂x0i ∂xj

=
dt j
∂xj ∂t

ie, velocity is contravariant tensor of rank 1.

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 Again differentiating we get acceleration,

d2 x0i X ∂x0i ∂ 2 xj
=
dt2 j
∂xj ∂t2

Hence acceleration is also a contravariant tensor of rank two.

4. Construct a scalar from the tensor Aij

kl .

The transformation law of given tensor is

∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j ∂xc ∂xd ab

Āij
kl = A
∂xa ∂xb ∂ x̄k ∂ x̄l cd

by contraction of tensors ,put k = i.

∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j ∂xc ∂xd ab

Āij = A
il
∂xa ∂xb ∂ x̄i ∂ x̄l cd

∂xc ∂ x̄j ∂xd ab

Āij
il = A
∂xa ∂xb ∂ x̄l cd
∂ x̄j ∂xd ab
Āij c
il = δa A
∂xb ∂ x̄l cd
∂ x̄j ∂xd ab
Āij
il = A
∂xb ∂ x̄l ad
This is a tensor transformation law of rank two.
Again we take inner product and set l = j in above equation

∂ x̄j ∂xd ab
Āij
ij = A
∂xb ∂ x̄j ad
∂xd ab
Āij
ij = A
∂xb ad
Āij d ab
ij = δb Aad

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 Āij ab
ij = Aab ⇒ Ā = A

This implies that

Aab
ab = A

is a scalar.

5. If dS 2 = gij dxi dxj is invariant, show that gij is a symmetric covariant

tensor of rank 2.
We have
dS 2 = gij dxi dxj

Since it is invarient,
dS 2 = ḡij dx̄i dx̄j

ie,
ḡij dx̄i dx̄j = glm dxl dxm

Now applying inverse transformation law of dxl and dxm , we get

∂xl i ∂xm j
ḡij dx̄i dx̄j = glm dx̄ . j dx̄
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄

∂xl ∂xm i j
= glm dx̄ dx̄
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j
∂xl ∂xm
 
ḡij − glm i j
dx̄i dx̄j = 0
∂ x̄ ∂ x̄
As dx̄i and dx̄j are arbitrary contravarient vectors, we must have

∂xl ∂xm
ḡij − glm =0
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j

ie,
∂xl ∂xm
ḡij = glm
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j

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Which is the transformation law for the second order covariant tensor.
Hence gij is a covariant tensor of rank two.
gij can be expressed as

1 1
gij = (gij + gji ) + (gij − gji ) = Aij + Bij
2 2

where Aij = 12 (gij + gji ) is a symmetric tensor

and Bij = 12 (gij − gji ) is antisymmetric tensor.
Then
ds2 = gij dxi dxj = (Aij + Bij ) dxi dxj

We have

Bij dxi dxj = Bji dxj dxi

(interchanging dummy indices i and j)

= −Bij dxi dxj

(since Bij is antisymmetric ie. Bij = −Bji )

ie,
2Bij dxi dxj = 0

As dxi and dxj are arbitrary vectors, we have

Bij = 0

ie,
1
(gij − gji ) = 0
2

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 gij = gji

which shows that gij is symmetric.

6. Give short account of metric tensor and its applications.

An expression which expresses the distance between two adjacent points
is called a metric or line element. In three dimensional space the line
element i.e. the distance between two adjacent points (x, y, z) and
(x + dx, y + dy, z + dz) in cartesian coordinate is given by

ds2 = dx2 + dy 2 + dz 2

In terms of general curvilinear coordinates, the line element becomes

P3 Pn
ds2 = µ=1 ν=1 gµν dqµ dqν = gµν dqµ dqν (using summation conven-

tion)
This idea was generalized by Riemann to n-dimensional space.
The distance between two neighbouring points with coordinate xµ and
xµ + dxµ is given by

n X
X n
2
ds = gµν dxµ dxν
µ=1 ν=1

where the coefficients gµν are the functions of the coordinates xµ , sub-
ject to the restriction g = determinant of gµν i.e. |gµν | =
6 0.
The quadratic differential form gµν dqµ dqν is independent of the coor-
dinate system and is called the Riemannian metric for n-dimensional
space. The space which is characterised by Riemannian metric is called
Riemannian space. Here the quantities gµν are components of a covari-
ant symmetric tensor of rank two, called the metric tensor or funda-
mental tensor.

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7. State the transformation properties of tensors Tα and S αβ . Obtain the
transformation properties of Tα S αβ . Explain your result.
Transformation law for the tensor Tα is

∂xl
T̄α = Tl
∂ x̄α

Tα is a first rank tensor.

Transformation law for the tensor S αβ is

∂ x̄α ∂ x̄β mn
S̄ αβ = S
∂xm ∂xn

S αβ is a second rank tensor.

Then
∂xl ∂ x̄α ∂ x̄β mn
T̄α S̄ αβ = Tl S
∂ x̄α ∂xm ∂xn
∂xl ∂ x̄β
= m n
Tl S mn
∂x ∂x
l ∂ x̄β
= δm n
Tl S mn
∂x
∂ x̄β
= Tl S ln
∂xn
which is transformation law for a first rank tensor. So Tα and S αβ is a
tensor of rank one. so it is found that the rank of a tensor is equal to
the number of real indices that is present in it.

8. Give an account of contraction and direct product of two tensors. What

will be the rank of the contracted tensor and the direct product?
The algebraic operation by which the rank of a mixed tensor is low-
ered by 2 is known as contraction. In the process of contraction one
contravariant index and one covariant index of a mixed tensor are set

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 equal and the repeated index is summed over, the result is a tensor of
rank lower by two than the original tensor.
for example,consider the tensor Aαβ

∂ x̄α ∂xb a
Āαβ = A
∂xa ∂ x̄β b

by contraction of tensors ,put β = α.

∂ x̄α ∂xb a
Āαα = A
∂xa ∂ x̄α b

∂xb a
Āαα = A
∂xa b
Āαα = δab Aab

Āαα = Aaa

which is a tensor of rank(2-2) zero.

Direct product or outer product of two tensor is a tensor whose rank

is the sum of the ranks of given tensors. Thus if r and 0 are the ranks
of two tensors, their outer product will be a tensor of rank (r + r0 )
for example, if Aµν λ
σ and Bρ are two tensors of rank 3 and 2 respectively,

then
Aµν λ µνλ
σ Bρ = Cσρ (say)

is a tensor of rank (3 + 2) = 5

9. The double summation Kij Ai Bj is invariant for any two vectors Ai and
Bj . Prove that Kij is a second order tensor.

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 Given that Kij Ai Bj is invariant.then

K̄ij dĀi B̄j = Klm Al Bm

Now applying inverse transformation law of Al and Bm , we get

∂xl ∂xm
K̄ij Āi B̄j = Klm Āi . B̄j
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j

∂xl ∂xm
= Klm Āi B̄j
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j
 
∂xl ∂xm
K̄ij − Klm Āi B̄j = 0
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j
As Āi and B̄j are arbitrary covariant vectors, we must have

∂xl ∂xm
K̄ij − Klm =0
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j

ie,
∂xl ∂xm
K̄ij = Klm
∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j
Which is the transformation law for the second order covariant tensor.
Hence Kij is a covariant tensor of rank two.

10. Kronecker delta is a mixed tensor of rank 2. Prove the statement.

We have Kronecker delta,
dxi
δij =
dxj
∂ x̄i ∂xl m
δ̄ji = δ
∂ x̄j ∂xm l
∂ x̄i ∂xl m
= δ
∂xm ∂ x̄j l

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 therefore it has one contravariant coefficient and a covariant coefficient.
So Kronecker delta is a mixed tensor of rank two.

11. If Aµ and Bµ are any two vectors, then prove that Aµ Bµ is invariant.
The transformation law for the vectors are,

∂ x̄µ l
Āµ = A
∂xl

and
∂xm
B̄µ = Bm
∂ x̄µ
Then transformation law for Aµ Bµ is

∂ x̄µ l ∂xm
Āµ B̄µ = A Bm
∂xl ∂ x̄µ

µ ∂ x̄µ ∂xm l
Ā B̄µ = A Bm
∂xl ∂ x̄µ
∂xm l
Āµ B̄µ = A Bm
∂xl
Āµ B̄µ = δlm Al Bm

Āµ B̄µ = Al Bl

Hence Aµ Bµ is invariant tensor.

12. Show that any tensor of rank 2 can be expressed as the sum of a
symmetric] and an antisymmetric tensors of rank 2.
Any tensor Aµν of rank 2, may be expressed as

1 µν 1
Aµν = (A + Aνµ ) + (Aµν − Aνµ )
2 2

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 = B µν + C µν

where B µν = 12 (Aµν + Aνµ ) and C µν = 12 (Aµν − Aνµ )

From addition and subtraction laws of tensor it follows that B µν and
C µν are tensors of rank 2.
Interchanging indices in B µν and C µν , we get

1 νµ 1
B µν = (A + Aµν ) = (Aµν + Aνµ ) = B µν
2 2

and
1 νµ 1
C νµ = (A − Aµν ) = − (Aµν + Aνµ ) = C µν
2 2
Which shows that B µν is symmetric, while C µν is antisymmetric, both
being tensors of rank 2.
Hence the result.

13. Write down the transformation rule for 2 rank contravarient and co-
variant tensors. Show that contraction of a 2 rank tensor result in an
invariant.
For the 2 rank contravarient tensor Aij , transformation rule is

∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j mn
Āij = A
∂m ∂xn

For the 2 rank covariant tensor Bµν , transformation rule is

∂xl ∂xm
B̄µν = Bab
∂ x̄µ ∂ x̄ν

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 consider the second rank mixed tensor Aµν

∂ x̄µ ∂xm l
Āµν = A
∂xl ∂ x̄ν m

by contraction of tensors ,put ν = µ.

∂ x̄µ ∂xm l
Āµµ = A
∂xl ∂ x̄µ m

∂xm l
Āµµ = A
∂xl m
Āµµ = δlm Alm

Āµµ = All

hence which is invarient.

14. Define the transformation equation for a contravarient tensor of rank

3.
Consider the third rank contravariant tensor C ijk
Then tranformation law can be defined as

∂ x̄i ∂ x̄j ∂ x̄k lmn

C̄ ijk = C
∂xl ∂xm ∂xn

15. What are symmetric ans anti-symmetric tensors?

If two contravariant or covariant indices can be interchanged without
altering the tensor, then the tensor is said to be symmetric with respect
to these two indices.
For example,if
Aµν = Aνµ

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 or
Aµν = Aνµ

then the contravariant tensor of second rank Aµν or covariant tensor of

second rank Aµν is said to be symmetric.

A tensor , whose each component alters in sign but not in magnitude ,

when two contravariant or covariant indices are interchanged, is said to
be Skew symmetric or antisymmetric with respect to these two indices.
for example,
Aµν = −Aνµ

or
Aµν = −Aνµ

then the contravariant tensor Aµν or covariant tensor Aµν of second

rank is antisymmetric.

16. ω
~ is any arbitrary contravarient vector. It is known that Aij ω
~ is a
covariant vector (summation convention is used). Show that Aij is a
covariant tensor of rank 2.
Given that Aij ω
~ is a covariant vector and ω
~ is any arbitrary contravari-
ent vector. then
ω
~ = ωj

Aij ω
~ j = Ci

Ci is a covariant vector.

A~ωj = Ci −→ (1)

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 by second quotient rule
KAj = Bi

where K is a covarient tensor of rank two.

then compaing with equation (1) ⇒
Aij is a covariant tensor of rank two.

17. Using the inner product of a tensor and applying contraction principle
obtain the length L of a tensor Ai .
Ai is a vector.
consider Aj , and taking direct product of Ai and Aj

Ai Aj

Applying contraction, put i = j

Ai Aj

Then
p
L= Ai Aj

18. Obtain the metric tensor for two dimensional plane in polar coordi-
nates.
The metric tensor gµν is given by

ds2 = gµν dxµ dxν

In polar coordinates
ds2 = dr2 + r2 dθ2

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 If x1 = r , x2 = θ then comparing above equations, we get

g11 = 1

g12 = g21 = 0 = 0

g22 = r2

The metric tensor gµν in matrix form is written as

   
g11 g12 1 0
gµν =  = 
2
g21 g22 0 r

19. Obtain the law of transformation for the elements of a third rank tensor
corresponding to a coordinate transformation.

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