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INDEX NOTATION 1

Mahima alekh
Notes on

INDEX NOTATION

Prepared by
PEDINA SIBAKRISHNA
ROLL NO-519CH1009
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROURKELA-769008, DIST-SUNDERGARH, ODISHA, INDIA

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INDEX NOTATION 2

Contents

Representation of vectors and tensors 3


Index vs vector notation 3
Summation convention: 4
Free index 4
Dummy index 6
Rules of indicial or index notation 6
Orthonormal basis 6
The kronecker delta (substitution tensor or identity tensor) 7
The alternating unit tensor (levi-civita tensor/operator) 8
Vector operations using index notation 11
Decomposition of a tensor into symmetric and anti-symmetric parts 15
Vector calculus operations using index notation 16
The second derivatives (double derivatives) 18
Product rule for divergence and curl 19
Derivatives of the position vector 20
The ordering of terms in expression involving calculus operators 20
Solved examples 21
Exercise numerical 27

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INDEX NOTATION 3

INDEX NOTATION

Representation of vectors and tensors


A scalar is a quantity that has a magnitude only (e.g., temperature), whereas a
vector is Characterized by both a magnitude and a direction (e.g., velocity). Vectors are
often represented as arrows which have a certain length and spatial orientation. Two
vectors are said to be equal if they are parallel, pointed in the same direction, and of equal
length (magnitude).
A vector in physical (three-dimensional) space may be viewed also as an ordered
set of three numbers, each of which is associated with a particular direction; the
directions usually correspond to a set of orthogonal coordinates. The fact that a vector is
an independent entity implies that once the three numbers (or components) are known
for one coordinate system, they are uniquely determined for all other coordinate systems.
A second-order tensor in three-dimensional space is an entity that can be
represented as an ordered set of nine numbers, each of which is associated with two
directions. The most prominent example in transport theory is the stress in a fluid. With
second (or higher)-order tensors the "arrow-in-space" concept ceases to be helpful. An
nth-order tensor has 3n components, each corresponding to a set of n directions. In
general discussions of tensor analysis, scalars and vectors are regarded as zeroth-order
and first-order tensors, respectively.
Finally we understood that
Scalar:- A magnitude that does not change with a rotation of axes.
Vector:- Associates a scalar with a direction.
Tensor:- Associates a vector (or tensor) with a direction.

Index vs Vector Notation


Two systems of notation for vectors and tensors are commonly used. First one is
Gibbs notation, developed by J. W. Gibbs (who was responsible also for much of the basic
theory of chemical thermodynamics). The advantage of Gibbs notation is that it allows
most equations to be written in a simple and general form, without reference to a
particular coordinate system. Another advantage of the notation is a philosophical one.
Gibbs’s notation is sufficient for an abstract result, but for detailed problems we must
write out a component equation in order to find a specific result.
The second major system, called Cartesian tensor notation (a.k.a. subscript
notation or tensor notation or Index notation), is based on vector and tensor components,
which are identified using subscripts. This notation always deals with scalar variables.
Whenever we write an equation, we use the scalar component of a vector or the scalar
component of a tensor. Index notation is a powerful tool for manipulating
multidimensional equations. It has the advantage of showing more explicitly the results
of vector and tensor manipulations, and it is used here to evaluate various products and
derivatives. One disadvantage is that the component representations of differential
operators are valid only for rectangular coordinates.

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INDEX NOTATION 4

Summation convention:
In standard vector notation, a vector A may be written in component form as

Using index notation, we can express the vector A as

Notice that in the expression within the summation, the index i is repeated. Repeated
indices are always contained within summations, or phrased differently a repeated index
implies a summation. Therefore, the summation symbol is typically dropped, so that A
can be expressed as

This repeated index notation is known as Einstein’s summation convention. Any repeated
index is called a dummy index. Since a repeated index implies a summation over all
possible values of the index, one can always relabeled a dummy index, i.e.

Any index appearance more than twice is not allowed in the convention. That means
summation is not implied in uiviwi. If we want to write this then explicitly summation
symbol should be indicated i.e.

Free index:
Consider the system of linear equations,

Using summation convention, we get

These equations can also be written as,

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INDEX NOTATION 5

It can be observed that the index j is appearing twice on the right hand side of equation
whereas the index i is appearing only once on the right hand side and of course on left
hand side once. We know from the previous discussion that the j is the dummy index
whereas the index i is called free index. Usually the free index takes values 1, 2 or 3, unless
stated explicitly. Therefore, the short form of three system of linear equations is

a) A free index appears once and only once within each additive term in an
expression. In the equation below, i is a free index:

b) A free index implies three distinct equations. That is, the free index sequentially
assumes the values 1, 2, and 3. Thus,

c) The same letter must be used for the free index in every additive term. The free
index may be renamed if and only if it is renamed in every term.
d) Terms in an expression may have more than one free index so long as the indices
are distinct. For example the vector-notation expression A = BT is written Aij =
(Bij)T = Bji in index notation. This expression implies nine distinct equations, since
i and j are both free indices.
e) The number of free indices indicates the order/rank of the tensor. The scalar (c)
does not have a free index, indicating that it is a 0th order tensor. The vector (a) has
one free index (i), indicating that it is a 1st order tensor. Tensors may assume a
rank/order of any integer greater than or equal to zero. You may only sum
together terms with equal rank/order.
a = ai i=1...3
The three entries in the vector a are represented by a1, a2, a3. The index letter is
incremented from its starting value (1) to its ending value (3). If i = 1 . . . 1, then ai
is a scalar, also called a 0th order tensor. A scalar can also be represented simply
by a. If i = 1 . . . k and k > 1 then ai is a vector, also called a 1st order tensor.

Where ∑ represents the sum of the orders of the quantities being multiplied.
The number of free indices in a term equals the rank of the term:

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INDEX NOTATION 6

f) The first free index in a term corresponds to the row, and the second corresponds
to the column. Thus, a vector (which has only one free index) is written as a
column of three rows,

and a rank-2 tensor is written as

Dummy Index (a.k.a. umbral index, Summation Index)


a) A dummy index appears twice within an additive term of an expression. In the
equation below, j and k are both dummy indices:

b) A dummy index implies a summation over the range of the index:

c) A dummy index may be renamed to any letter not currently being used as a free
index (or already in use as another dummy index pair in that term). The dummy
index is “local” to an individual additive term. It may be renamed in one term (so
long as the renaming doesn’t conflict with other indices), and it does not need to
be renamed in other terms (and, in fact, may not necessarily even be present in
other terms).

Rules of indicial or index notation:


 Free indices appear only once in an expression and thus are not summed over.
Dummy indices appear twice, and are implicitly summed over.
• A summation is taken over all indices that appear twice in a product and these
indices are called dummy indices,
• No summation is taken over all indices that appear once in a product and these
indices are called free indices, and
• An index should never appear more than twice in a single term.
• The free indices should always be the same in every term in an expression.

Orthonormal Basis
Consider the coordinate system illustrated in Figure 1. Instead of using the typical axis
labels x, y, and z, we use x1, x2, and x3, or

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INDEX NOTATION 7

Consider again the coordinate system in Figure 1. Using the conventional right hand rule
for cross products, we have

To write the above expressions using index notation, we must introduce the symbol 𝜖ijk,
which is commonly known as the Levi-Civita tensor, the alternating unit tensor, or the
permutation symbol (in this text it will be referred to as the permutation symbol).

The Kronecker Delta (Substitution tensor or identity tensor)


The Kronecker delta is a rank-2 symmetric tensor defined as follows:

Or

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INDEX NOTATION 8

Properties of Kronecker delta:


(i) δij = δji
(ii) δii = δ11 + δ22 + δ33 = 3
(iii) xi = δijxj , τij = τikδkj , and so on
Because of property (iii) in the preceding list is known as substitution operator.

The Alternating Unit Tensor (Levi-Civita tensor/operator)


The alternating unit tensor is a rank-3 anti-symmetric tensor defined as follows:

The alternating unit tensor is positive when the indices assume any clockwise cyclical
progression, as shown in the figure:

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INDEX NOTATION 9

We may write a single generalized expression for all the above terms

Properties of permutation symbols

a)
i.e. Switching any two subscripts reverses the sign of the permutation symbol (or
in other words 𝜖ijk is anti-symmetric.)

i.e. cyclic permutation of the subscripts do not change the sign of 𝜖ijk
b) The follwoing is a very important identity involving the product of two
permutation symbols.

The proof of this identity is as follows:


• If any two of the indices i, j, k or l, m, n are the same, then clearly the left hand
side of the above equation must be zero. This condition would also result in
two of the rows or two of the columns in the determinant being the same, so
therefore the right-hand side must also equal zero.
• If (i, j, k) and (l, m, n) both equal (1,2,3), then both sides of equation are equal
to one. The left-hand side will be 1 × 1, and the right-hand side will be the
determinant of the identity matrix.

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INDEX NOTATION 10

• If any two of the indices i, j, k or l, m, n are interchanged, the corresponding


permutation symbol on the left-hand side will change signs, thus reversing the
sign of the left-hand side. On the right-hand side, an interchange of two indices
results in an interchange of two rows or two columns in the determinant, thus
reversing its sign.
Therefore, all possible combinations of indices result in the two sides of the
equation being equal. Now consider the special case of equation where n = k. In
this case, the repeated index k implies a summation over all values of k. The
product of the two permutation symbols is now

It is an extremely useful property in vector algebra and vector calculus


applications. It can also be expressed compactly in determinant form as

The cyclic property of the permutation symbol allows us to write also

In other ways it can be expressed as


Ɛijk Ɛimn=δjmδkn-δjnδkm

Where i is the summation index and j, k, m, n are free indices. A device used to
remember the positions of the subscripts is given in the figure. The subscripts on
the four Kronecker delta's on the right-hand side of the Ɛ-δ identity then are read
(First)(Second) - (outer)(inner)
This refers to the positions following the summation index. Thus, j, m are the first
indices after the summation index and k, n are the second indices after the
summation index. The indices j, n are outer indices when compared to the inner
indices k, m as the indices are viewed as written on the left-hand side of the
identity.

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INDEX NOTATION 11

Mnemonic device for position of subscripts.


εijkεi_ _ = δj _δk _ − δj _δk _
The two free indexes of the first ε are distributed to the first position in each δ,
keeping the same order: The second positions on each δ are filled by the free
indexes of the second ε, using the same order in the first group and reversing the
order for the second group.

c)

Vector Operations using Index Notation


(a) Multiplication of a vector by a scalar:

The index i is a free index in this case.


(b) Scalar product of two vectors (a.k.a. dot or inner product):
The scalar (or dot) product of a and b is defined as
a · b = ab cosφab,
Where φab is the angle between the vectors (<l80°). The operation a·b results in a
scalar, hence the name. Noticing that bcosφab equals the magnitude of b as
projected on a, it is seen that a·b equals the magnitude of a times the projection of
b, and vice versa.

If the vectors are perpendicular, then cos φab = 0 and the scalar product vanishes.
If a vector is dotted with itself, then cos φab = 1 and the result is the square of the
magnitude. Thus, the magnitude of a is given by
a=lal=(a·a)1/2

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INDEX NOTATION 12

The scalar product of two vectors is commutative,


a·b=b·a
and also distributive,
a·(b+c) =(a· b)+ (a·c).

The index i is a dummy index in this case. The term “scalar product” refers to the
fact that the result is a scalar.

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INDEX NOTATION 13

(c) Scalar product of two tensors (a.k.a. inner or dot product):

The two dots in the vector notation indicate that both indices are to be summed.
Again, the result is a scalar.
(d) Tensor product of two vectors (a.k.a. dyadic product):
The formal multiplication of the vectors a and b, without a dot or cross, results in
the dyad, ab. This dyad is represented as

It is seen that a dyad is simply a tensor constructed by pairing the components of


two vectors. Unlike scalar multiplication, the order of a and b must be preserved.
That is, unless the dyad happens to be symmetric, ab≠ba.

The term “tensor product” refers to the fact that the result is a tensor.
(e) Tensor product of two tensors:

The single dot refers to the fact that only the inner index is to be summed. Note
that this is not an inner product.
(f) Vector product of a tensor and a vector:

(g) Cross product of two vectors:


The vector (or cross) product of a and b is defined as

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INDEX NOTATION 14

Where eab is a unit vector that is perpendicular to the plane formed by a and b. The
direction of eab is such that (a, b, eab) is a right-handed set of vectors; that is, if the
fingers of the right hand are curled from a toward b, then eab points in the direction
of the extended thumb. The magnitude of a X b equals the area of a parallelogram
which has a and b as adjacent sides.
Note that because a X b is perpendicular to the plane containing a and b, it is
perpendicular to both of those vectors. Thus, if a and b are also perpendicular to
one another, then (a, b, a X b) is an orthogonal set. If a vector is crossed with itself
(or with any parallel vector), then sin φab = 0 and the product is zero. The right-
hand rule implies that reversing the order of the vectors in the cross product
reverses the direction of the resultant. That is,
a x b= -b x a.
Indicating that the cross product is not commutative. It is, however, distributive:
a x (b+c) =(aX b)+ (a X c).

Where only i and j are dummy indices. Note that the cross product may also be
written in determinant form as follows:

Recall that
(a1, a2, a3) × (b1, b2, b3) = (a2b3 − a3b2, a3b1 − a1b3, a1b2 − a2b1)
Now, note that the notation 𝜖ijkajbk represents three terms, the first of which is

Note:-
• Any two vectors are linearly dependent then the cross product is zero.

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INDEX NOTATION 15

• Geometrically, the cross product represent the area of parallelogram formed


by two vectors and its orientation.
(h) Contraction or Trace of a tensor (sum of diagonal terms):

Decomposition of a Tensor into Symmetric and Anti-symmetric Parts


Frequently, the components of a tensor are displayed as a matrix. The customary
arrangement is
𝑇11 𝑇12 𝑇13
[𝑇21 𝑇22 𝑇23 ]
𝑇31 𝑇32 𝑇33
The transpose of a tensor is the tensor obtained by interchanging two indexes; the
transpose of Tij is Tji. To be specific, if we let the symbol (Tt )ij be the ij-component of the
transpose of the tensor Tij, then (Tt )ij = Tji; for example, (Tt )12 = T21. In the matrix
representation the transpose interchanges the components about the diagonal:
𝑇11 𝑇12 𝑇13 𝑇11 𝑇21 𝑇31
𝑇𝑖𝑗 = [𝑇21 𝑇22 𝑇23 ] , 𝑇𝑗𝑖 = [𝑇12 𝑇22 𝑇32 ]
𝑇31 𝑇32 𝑇33 𝑇13 𝑇23 𝑇33

a) A tensor Q symmetric if it is equal to its transpose:


Qij = Qji
b) A tensor R anti-symmetric if it is equal to the negative of its transpose:
Rij = −Rji
Note that the diagonal terms of Rij must necessarily be zero.
c) Any arbitrary tensor T may be decomposed into the sum of a symmetric tensor
(denoted T(ij)) and an anti-symmetric tensor (denoted T[ij]).
Tij = T(ij) + T[ij]
To show this, we start with T and then add and subtract one-half of its transpose:

d) It is also possible to show that the anti-symmetric component of T can be


calculated as

e) The scalar product of any symmetric and anti-symmetric tensor is zero (Proof is
assigned as Problem 3).

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INDEX NOTATION 16

f) A more general form of the previous relationship can be stated as follows. The
expression Aijkl...Bjklm... = 0 is equal to zero if A and B are symmetric and anti-
symmetric (respectively) with respect to the same indices. For example,
AijklBjklm = 0
if Aijkl = Aikjl and Bjklm = −Bkjlm.

Vector Calculus Operations using Index Notation


The spatial coordinates (x, y, z) are renamed as follows:

The real power of index notation is revealed when we look at vector differential
identities. The vector derivatives known as the gradient, the divergence and the curl can
all be written in terms of the operator ∇,

Where [x1, x2, x3] are the components of the position vector x.
(a) Temporal derivative of a scalar field 𝜙(x1, x2, x3, t):

There is no physical significance to the “0” subscript. Other notation may be used.
(b) Gradient (spatial derivatives) of a scalar field f (x1, x2, x3, t):
The direct operation of ∇ on any field variable (without a dot or cross) yields the
gradient of that quantity. Thus, the gradient of the scalar-valued function (or
"scalar function") f is a vector, represented as

Significance: - The gradient ∇f points in the direction of maximum increase of the


function f. The magnitude of 𝜖∇f𝜖 gives the slope (rate of increase) along this
maximal direction.
Physical example: Think of skiing down a mountain; if you want to descend as
quickly as possible you ski the path the follows the negative of the maximum rate
of change in elevation.
(c) Gradient (spatial derivatives) of a vector field v(x1, x2, x3, t):
The gradient of the vector function v is a tensor (or dyad), given by

In vector notation, 𝜖jai is written ∇a or grad a Note that 𝜖jai is a tensor (rank=2):

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INDEX NOTATION 17

The index on the denominator of the derivative is the row index. Note that the
gradient increases by one the rank of the expression on which it operates.
The properties of the gradient

(d) Divergence of a vector field ā(x1, x2, x3, t):

Notice that 𝜖iai is a scalar (rank=0).


Important note: The divergence decreases by one the rank of the expression on
which it operates by one. It is not possible to take the divergence of a scalar.
Geometrical interpretation: - the divergence of a vector is a measure of how much
the vector spreads out (diverges) from a point. Physical example-imagine standing
at the edge of a pond. Sprinkle some sawdust or pine needles on the surface. If the
material spreads out, then you dropped it at a point of positive divergence; if it
collects together, you dropped it at a point of negative divergence. A point of
positive divergence is a source or “Faucet”; a point of negative divergence is a sink,
“drain’.

(a)Large positive divergence (if the arrows pointed in, it would be a large negative
divergence)
(b) Zero Divergence (c) Positive divergence
The properties of the divergence operator

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INDEX NOTATION 18

Note:
o Gradient of a scalar function ⇾Vector function
o Divergence of a vector function ⇾Scalar function
(e) Curl or rot of a vector field ā(x1, x2, x3, t):

Notice that 𝜖ijk𝜖jak is a vector (rank=1).


Important note: The curl does not change the rank of the expression on which it
operates. It is not possible to take the curl of a scalar.
Geometrical interpretation:-the curl of a vector is the measure of how much the
vector curls around the point.
Physical example: - Imagine you are standing at the edge of a pond. Float a small
paddle wheel (a cork with toothpicks pointing out radially); if it starts to rotate,
then you placed it a point of nonzero curl. A whirlpool is region of large curl.

The second derivatives (Double Derivatives)


The gradient, the divergence, and the curl are only the first derivatives we can make with
∇; by applying ∇ twice we can construct five species of second derivatives.
1. Divergence of gradient ∇ • (∇T)

The above expression for short ∇ 2T, which is called the laplacian of T; Notice that
the laplacian of a scalar T is a scalar. Occasionally, we shall speak of the laplacian
of a vector ∇ 2v.

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INDEX NOTATION 19

2. Curl of a gradient is always zero

3. Gradient of divergence ∇ (∇•v)


Notice that ∇ (∇•v) is not the same as the laplacian of a vector:

4. Divergence of curl ∇ • (∇ ⤬ v)

5. Curl of curl ∇ ⤬ (∇ ⤬ v)

Product rule for divergence and curl

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INDEX NOTATION 20

Derivatives of the position vector


If the position vector x itself appears in a vector expression which is being manipulated
in index notation, then it is useful to notice that

Which follows directly from the definition of a partial derivative:

The ordering of terms in expression involving calculus operators


Index notation is used to represent vector (and tensor) quantities in terms of their
constitutive scalar components. For example, ai is the ith component of the vector ā. Thus,
ai is actually a collection of three scalar quantities that collectively represent a vector.
Since index notation represents quantities of all ranks in terms of their scalar
components, the order in which these terms are written within an expression is usually
unimportant. But it is extremely important of order of the terms in expressions and pay
special attention to operators (e.g. div, grad, curl). In particular, remember that the rules
of calculus (e.g. product rule, chain rule) still apply.
Example 1:

Example 2:

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INDEX NOTATION 21

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Q1. Find 𝜖612453 ?
Solution: To determine whether 612453 is an even or odd permutation of 123456 we
write down the given numbers and below them we write the integers 1 through 6. Like
numbers are then connected by a line and we obtain figure.

Fig. Permutations of 123456.


In the above figure, there are seven intersections of the lines connecting like numbers.
The number of intersections is an odd number and shows that an odd number of
transpositions must be performed. These results imply 𝜖612453 = −1:
Q2. Show for the double cross product:

Solution:-

Q3. Show that the vector triple product, in general, is not associative i.e. u × (v × w)
is different from (u × v) × w.
Solution:-

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INDEX NOTATION 22

Q4. Show for the scalar triple product :

Solution:-

Q5. Write ▽x (▽𝜙) in 𝜀ijk notation so that it becomes zero.

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INDEX NOTATION 23

Q6. Write the following formulas in Gibbs’s notation using the symbol ∇. Convert
the expressions to Cartesian notation and prove that the equations are correct.
div (φv)= φ div v + v . grad φ
div (u × v)= v · curl u − u · curl v
curl (u × v)= v · grad u − u · grad v + u div v − v div u
Solution:-
div (φv)= φ div v + v . grad φ
Using Gibb’s Notation we can rewrite

In order to write the equation in index notation, starting from the left hand side we
have:

We know that δij is only nonzero when i=j, therefore

Then for the first term on the right hand side, following the same method as above:

And for the second term

Now the equation in index notation has a form of:

Using chain rule to open the derivative

Multiplying the last term by δii=1:

Now we are able to get the dot product of two vector quantities.
Also we know that in index notation:

Therefore substituting the above terms we get

(Proved)
div (u × v)= v · curl u − u · curl v
The above equation can be rewritten in Gibb’s notation:

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INDEX NOTATION 24

In index notation the left hand side can be written as:

δil is only non-zero when i=l. Thus:

Therefore the equation in index notation can be written as:

In order to prove, we start from left hand side and use chain rule to open the derivative:

Then multiplying the first term by δkk and the second term by δjj

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INDEX NOTATION 25

From the definition of the curl in index notation we have:

Since the dot product is commutative we can rewrite:

proved)
curl (u × v)= v · grad u − u · grad v + u div v − v div u
The above equation can be rewritten in Gibb’s notation:

For the index notation, starting from the left hand side of equation:

For the first term in the right hand side we have:

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INDEX NOTATION 26

The equation in index notation is given as:

In order to prove this equation we use Ɛ-δ identity:

The first term in the above equation is only non-zero when m=j and i=k:

The second term in the above equation is only non-zero when i=j and m=k:

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INDEX NOTATION 27

The third term in the above equation is only non-zero when m=j and i=k:

The fourth term in the above equation is only non-zero when m=k and i=j:

Now putting all these terms in the equation we have:


(Proved)

Exercise numerical
1. Show that δii = 3
2. Show that δij𝜖ijk = 0
3. Show that 𝜖ipq𝜖jpq = 2δij
4. Show that 𝜖ijk𝜖ijk = 6
5. Simplify each of the following by employing the summation property of the
Kronecker delta. Perform sums on the summation indices only if you are unsure
of the result.
(a) 𝜖ijkδkn (b) 𝜖ijkδisδjm
(c) 𝜖ijkδisδjmδkn (d) aijδin
(e) δijδjn (f) δijδjnδni
6. Simplify and perform the indicated summations over the range 1; 2; 3
(a) δii (b) δijδij
(c) 𝜖ijkAiAjAk (d) 𝜖ijk𝜖ijk
(e) 𝜖ijkδjk (f) AiBjδji − BmAnδmn
7. Express each of the following in index notation. Be careful of the notation you use.
Note that Ᾱ = Ai is an incorrect notation because a vector cannot equal a scalar.
The notation A͞ .êi = Ai should be used to express the ith component of a vector.
(a) A· (B ⤬ C) (b) A ⤬ (B ⤬ C )
(c) B (A C). (d) B (A . C) − C (A . B )
8. Show the 𝜖 permutation symbol satisfies:
(a) 𝜖ijk = 𝜖jki = 𝜖kij
(b) 𝜖ijk = −𝜖jik = −𝜖ikj = −𝜖kji

Prepared by PEDINA SIBAKRISHNA, ROLL NO-519CH1009 | NIT, ROURKELA


INDEX NOTATION 28

9. Use index notation to verify the vector identity A ⤬ (B ⤬C ) = B (A . C) − C (A . B )


10. Use the 𝜖 − δ identity to simplify
(a) 𝜖ijk𝜖jik (b) 𝜖ijk𝜖jki
11. Prove the following vector identities:
(a) A . (B ⤬ C ) = B . (C ⤬ A) = C . (A ⤬ B) triple scalar product
(b) (A ⤬ B ) ⤬ C = B (A . C ) − A(B . C )
(c) (A ⤬ B) . (C ⤬ D ) = (A . C )( B . D ) − (A . D )( B . C )
(d) A ⤬ (B ⤬ C ) + B ⤬ (C ⤬ A) + C ⤬ (A ⤬ B) =0
(e) (A ⤬ B) ⤬ (C ⤬ D ) = B (A . C ⤬ D) − A(B . C ⤬ D)
12. For A = (1,−1, 0) and B = (4,−3, 2) find using the index notation,
(a) Ci = 𝜖ijkAjBk , i= 1, 2, 3
(b) AiBi
(c) What do the results in (a) and (b) represent?
𝑑𝑦1 𝑑𝑦2
13. Represent the differential equations = 𝑎11 𝑦1 + 𝑎12 𝑦2 and = 𝑎21 𝑦1 +
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑎22 𝑦2 using the index notation.
14. (Index notation) Let a11 = 3, a12 = 4, a21 = 5, a22 = 6 : Calculate the quantity C = aijaij,
i,j = 1, 2
1 2 1
15. Let (aij) =(1 0 3) and calculate C = aijaij, i,j = 1, 2, 3
2 3 2
16. Determine if the following statement is true or false. Justify your answer. 𝜖ijkAiBjCk
= 𝜖ijkAjBkCi
17. Use the indicial notation to prove (a) ▽⤬▽𝜖 =0 (b) ▽⤬▽A͞ = 0
18. If Aij is symmetric and Bij is skew-symmetric, i, j = 1, 2, 3, then calculate C = AijBij.
19. Simplify the expression 𝜖 = 𝜖ijk𝜖lmnAilAjmAkn
20. A field v(x, y, z) is said to be irrotational if [∇ X v] = 0. Which of the following fields
are irrotational?
(a) vx = by vy = 0 vz = 0
(b) vx = bx vy = 0 vz = 0
(c) vx = by vy = bx vz = 0
(d) vx = -by vy = bx vz = 0

Prepared by PEDINA SIBAKRISHNA, ROLL NO-519CH1009 | NIT, ROURKELA

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