Review of Scalars, Vectors, Tensors, and Dyads

In MHD, we will deal with relationships between quantities such as the magnetic field and the velocity that have both magnitude and direction. These quantities are examples of vectors (or, as we shall soon see, pseudovectors). The basic concepts of scalar and vector quantities are introduced early in any scientific education. However, to formulate the laws of MHD precisely, it will be necessary to generalize these ideas and to introduce the less familiar concepts of matrices, tensors, and dyads. The ability to understand and manipulate these abstract mathematical concepts is essential to learning MHD. Therefore, for the sake of both reference and completeness, this lecture is about the mathematical properties of scalars, vectors, matrices, tensors, and dyads. If you are already an expert, or think you are, please skip class and go on to Lecture 3. You can always refer back here if needed!

Our vice always lies in the direction of our virtues, and in their best estate are but plausible imitations of the latter.

Henry David Thoreau