Invariance of a tensor of order 2

  • #1
Thytanium
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TL;DR Summary
In a tensor of order 1 (a vector) its magnitude, direction and sense must remain invariant given a change in coordinates; but in a tensor of order 2, I don't know what remains invariant.
Good morning friends of the Forum. For me it is difficult to geometrically imagine a tensor of order 2 and maybe that is why it is difficult for me to know, what remains invariant when making a change of coordinates of this tensor. The only thing I can think of it, is that since a tensor of order 2 is a tensor product of two vectors (Tensors of order 1), these two vectors remain invariant when changing coordinates and multiplying them tensorly. This I think is implicit in the definition of the order 2 tensor but I am not sure that these assertions I am making are correct. If you can clarify these doubts for me, I would appreciate it, friends of the Forum.
 
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  • #2
Thytanium said:
Good morning friends of the Forum.
Good evening!

Thytanium said:
For me it is difficult to geometrically imagine a tensor of order 2 and maybe that is why it is difficult for me to know, what remains invariant when making a change of coordinates of this tensor.
A tensor (including a vector) is a geometrical object. It is invariant by itself, what changes are the tensor components relative to whatever basis you choose to use.

Thytanium said:
The only thing I can think of it, is that since a tensor of order 2 is a tensor product of two vectors (Tensors of order 1), these two vectors remain invariant when changing coordinates and multiplying them tensorly.
More generally, a general tensor of order 2 is a linear combination of such products.
 
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Thanks you friend Orodruin. Thanhs you very much.
 

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