Course Code: MATH4101
Course Title: Introduction to Vectors and
Tensor Analysis
Credit Hours: (3)
Pre-requisite(s): MATH2101
Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are:
a) To learn about vector quantities and algebra of vector addition and multiplication.
b) To understand differentiation and integration of vector valued functions and
there applications.
c) To learn about tensor quantities and algebra of tensor addition and multiplication.
d) To understand differentiation of tensors fields.
Reading list:
1. D.E. Bourne , P.C Kendall , “Vector Analysis and Cartesian Tensors”, 3rd
edition,
Stanley Thornes, 1999.
2. G.D. Smith, “Vector Analysis”, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1999.
3. M.R. Spiegel, “Vector Analysis & Introduction to Tensor Analysis”, McGraw Hill,
York 2009.
4. Shah N. A., Vector and Tensor Analysis, A-One Publishers, Lahore, 2005.
5. M.R. Spiegel, “Vector Analysis”, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill New York, 2009.
6. J.G. Simmonds,” A Brief on Tensor Analysis”, Springer-Verlag, 2012.
Lecture-wise distribution of the Contents
Lecture # Topic
Week 1 Introduction to the course, Vectors, scalars, Addition of vectors, Multiplication
of a vector by a scalar, Algebra of vector addition and scalar multiplication,
Unit vector, Components of a vector, Scalar and Vector fields,
Tensors.
Week 2 Dot Product and Cross product of vectors, Properties and applications of dot
and Cross product.
Week 3 Scalar and vector triple product, Properties and applications of triple product
Assignment #1
Week 4 Derivatives of vector valued functions of scalar variable, Differentiation
formulas Continuity and differentiability, Partial derivatives of vector functions
Week 5 Space curves, unit tangent, Principal normal, Bi-normal
Quiz #1
Week 6 Gradient, Divergence, Curl, Formulas involving gradient, Divergence and
Curl
Week 7 Integration of vector valued functions, Line integral, Work done by a variable
force, conservative vector field, scalar potential, Path independence, Work
done around a closed path
Week 8 Surface integrals, Volume integrals, Limit of sum definition and evaluation
technique
Week 9 MID EXAM
Week 10 Transformation of coordinates, curvilinear coordinate , orthogonal curvilinear
coordinate, Unit vectors in curvilinear systems
Week 11 Contra-variant and covariant components of a vector, Gradient, Divergence
and Curl in curvilinear coordinate system
Week 12 Special orthogonal coordinate systems , Cylindrical Coordinate,spherical
Coordinates, Parabolic Cylindrical Coordinates, Paraboloidal Coordinates
Week 13 Co-vector, Scalar product of vector and co-vector, Linear operators, Bilinear
and quadratic forms, Dual Bilinear forms, Einstein summation convention
,General definition of tensors.
Assignment#2
Week 14 Dot product and metric tensor, Tensors addition and multiplication by a
scalar, Tensor product, Contraction, Kronecker symbol, Levi-Civita symbol,
Tensor fields in Cartesian coordinates
Week 15 Change of Cartesian coordinate system, Differentiation of tensor fields,
Gradient, divergence, and curl, Laplace and d’Alambert operators
Quiz#2
Week 16 Tensor fields in curvilinear coordinate, Moving frame of curvilinear coordinates,
Christoffel symbols
