ABSTRACT
This chapter explores study the principal properties of tensors and consider some of their elementary applications. The concept of a tensor, like that of a vector, is an invariant concept. The components of a tensor may be constants or functions. Whether a given set of constants and/or functions really represent a tensor depends on the manner by which the members of the set transform under a change of coordinate system. Tensors that are represented in rectangular cartesian coordinate system are commonly called cartesian tensors. On the other hand, tensors that are represented in general curvilinear coordinate systems are called general tensors or simply tensors. The chapter presents separate discussion of cartesian and general tensors. It is sometimes said that tensor analysis is a study of notations. Because tensors are complex entities that can have a large number of components, it is necessary, indeed imperative, to introduce certain notations and convention to facilitate the representation and manipulation of tensors.
