Tensor of Order Two and Geometric Properties of 2D Metric Space

Abstract

A 2D metric space has a limited number of properties through which it can be described. This metric space may comprise objects such as a scalar, a vector, and a rank-2 tensor. The paper provides a comprehensive description of relations between objects in 2D space using the matrix product of vectors, geometric product, and dot product of complex numbers. These relations are also an integral part of the Lagrange’s identity. The entire structure of derived theoretical relationships describing properties of 2D space draws on the Lagrange’s identity. The description of how geometric algebra and tensor calculus are interconnected is given here in a comprehensive and essentially clear manner, which is the main contribution of this paper. A new term in this regard is the total geometric and matrix product, which—in a simple manner—predetermines and defines the existence of differential relations such as the gradient, the divergence, and the curl of a vector field. In addition, geometric interpretation of tensors is pointed out, expressed through angular parameters known from the literature as a tensor glyph. This angular interpretation of the tensor has an unequivocal analytical form, and the paper shows how it is linked to the classical tensor denoted by indices.

Keywords

• tensor
• Lagrange’s identity
• geometric algebra
• tensor glyph