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In mathematics, especially the usage of linear algebra in mathematical physics and differential geometry, Einstein notation (also known as the Einstein summation convention or Einstein summation notation) is a notational convention that implies summation over a set of indexed terms in a formula, thus achieving brevity.
The gradient of the function f(x,y) = −(cos 2 x + cos 2 y) 2 depicted as a projected vector field on the bottom plane. The gradient (or gradient vector field) of a scalar function f(x 1, x 2, x 3, …, x n) is denoted ∇f or ∇ → f where ∇ denotes the vector differential operator, del. The notation grad f is also commonly used to ...
This idea was developed into the theory of absolute differential calculus (now known as tensor calculus) by Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro and his student Tullio Levi-Civita between 1880 and the turn of the 20th century. Tensor calculus really came to life, however, with the advent of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity in 1915.
This section uses Einstein notation, including Einstein summation convention. See also Ricci calculus for a summary of tensor index notations, and raising and lowering indices for definition of superscript and subscript indices, and how to switch between them. The Minkowski metric tensor η here has metric signature (+ − − −).
In Feynman subscript notation, = + where the notation ∇ B means the subscripted gradient operates on only the factor B. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Less general but similar is the Hestenes overdot notation in geometric algebra . [ 3 ]
is the 4-gradient. Repeated indices are summed over according to Einstein summation convention. We have displayed the results in several common notations. The first tensor equation is an expression of the two inhomogeneous Maxwell's equations, Gauss' law and the Ampère's law with Maxwell's correction.
In general relativity, the stress–energy tensor is studied in the context of the Einstein field equations which are often written as + =, where = is the Einstein tensor, is the Ricci tensor, = is the scalar curvature, is the metric tensor, Λ is the cosmological constant (negligible at the scale of a galaxy or smaller), and = / is the ...
In the preface to Relativity: The Special and the General Theory, Einstein said "The present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical ...