Vector Calculus: Example Sheet 4

David Tong, February 2024

1. The current J due to an electric field E is given by Ji = σij Ej , where σij is the
conductivity tensor. In a given Cartesian coordinate system
 
2 −1 −1
σij =  −1 2 −1 
 

−1 −1 2

Show that there is a direction along which no current flows, and find the direction(s)
along which the current is largest, for an electric field of fixed magnitude.

2. Given the vectors u = (1, 0, 1), v = (0, 1, −1) and w = (1, 1, 0), find all components
of the second-rank and third-rank tensors defined by

Tij = ui vj + vi wj ; Sijk = ui vj wk − vi uj wk + vi wj uk − wi vj uk + wi uj vk − ui wj vk .

3. Use the transformation law for a second-rank tensor Tij , show that the quantities

α = Tii , β = Tij Tji , γ = Tij Tjk Tki

are scalars, i.e. remain the same in all Cartesian coordinate systems. If Tij is diagonal
in some coordinate system, express the quantities above in terms of its eigenvalues.
Hence deduce that the eigenvalues are the roots of the cubic equation
1 1
λ3 − αλ2 + (α2 − β)λ − (α3 − 3αβ + 2γ) = 0.
2 6

4. If ui (x) is a vector field, show that ∂ui /∂xj transforms as a second rank tensor field.
If σij (x) is a tensor field, show that ∂σij /∂xj transforms as a vector field.

5. The electric field E(x, t) and magnetic field B(x, t) satisfy Maxwell’s equations with
zero charge and current. Show that the Poynting vector P = µ10 E × B satisfies the
conservation law
 
∂Pi ∂Tij 1 1 2 2 2 2
+ = 0 where Tij = δij (E + c B ) − (Ei Ej + c Bi Bj )
∂t ∂xj µ0 2

where c2 = 1/µ0 0 . If the component Pi is the momentum density in the xi direction

stored in the electric and magnetic fields, what is the interpretation of Tij ?

1
6. The velocity field u(x, t) of an inviscid compressible gas obeys
 
∂ρ ∂u
+ ∇ · (ρu) = 0 and ρ + (u · ∇)u = −∇P
∂t ∂t
where ρ(x, t) is the density and P (x, t) is the pressure. Show that
   
∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂tij
ρuj uj + ρuj uj ui + P ui = P ∇ · u and (ρui ) + =0
∂t 2 ∂xi 2 ∂t ∂xj
for a suitable symmetric tensor tij , to be determined.

7. By first decomposing into symmetric and anti-symmetric parts, show that an arbi-
trary second rank tensor Tij can be written in the form

Tij = αδij + ijk ωk + Bij

where α is a scalar, ωk a vector and Bij a symmetric second rank tensor satisfying
Bii = 0.
(i) A tensor of rank 3 satisfies Tijk = Tjik and Tijk = −Tikj . Show that Tijk = 0.
(ii) A tensor of rank 4 satisfies Tjikl = −Tijkl = Tijlk and Tijij = 0. Show that

Tijkl = ijp klq Spq where Spq = −Trqrp .

8. A cuboid of uniform density and mass M has sides of length 2a, 2b and 2c. Find
the inertia tensor about its centre, with respect to a coordinate system of your choice.
A cube of sides of length 2a has uniform charge density, mass M , and is rotating
with angular velocity ω about an axis which passes through its center and through a
pair of opposite vertices. What is its angular momentum?

9. Evaluate the following integrals, where γ > 0 and r2 = xp xp :

Z Z
−3 −γr2 2
(i) r e xi xj dV, (ii) r−5 e−γr xi xj xk dV.
R3 R3

10. A tensor has components Tij with respect to a given Cartesian coordinate system
{xi }. If the tensor is invariant under arbitrary rotations about the x3 -axis, show that
it must have the form  
α ω 0
Tij =  −ω α 0 
 

0 0 β

2
11. In the theory of linear elasticity, the symmetric stress tensor σij depends on the
symmetric strain tensor ekl through the equation σij = Cijkl ekl . Explain why Cijkl
must be a fourth rank tensor, assuming that Cijkl = Cijlk . For an isotropic medium,
use the most general possible form for Cijkl (which you may quote) to show that

σij = λδij ekk + 2µeij ,

where λ and µ are scalars. Invert this equation to express eij in terms of σij , assuming
µ 6= 0 and 3λ 6= −2µ. Explain why the principal axes of σij and eij coincide.
The elastic energy density resulting from a deformation of the medium is E = 21 eij σij .
Show that E is strictly positive for any non-zero strain eij provided µ > 0 and λ > − 23 µ.

12*. The totally anti-symmetric tensor of rank n is defined by


 +1, if (i1 , i2 , . . . , in ) is an even permutation of (1, 2, . . . , n),

i1 i2 ···in = −1, if (i1 , i2 , . . . , in ) is an odd permutation of (1, 2, . . . , n),

0, otherwise.


Show that i1 i2 ···in i1 i2 ···in = n!.

How might you get a computer to compute i1 ···in for a given permutation (i1 , . . . , in )
of (1, , . . . , n)? For instance, computing the determinant of the relevant permutation
matrix is one option, but is quite computationally complex. Can you do better?

13*. Let Tij···k be a tensor of rank m in Rn . How many independent components does
Tij···k have if it is (a) totally antisymmetric; or (b) totally symmetric?