Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tensor

Noun

/ˈtɛnsər/

Definition

A mathematical object that generalizes scalars, vectors, and matrices and is used to describe physical properties in various dimensions.

Examples

The stress tensor helps to analyze the internal forces in materials.
In General Relativity, the curvature of spacetime can be described by the Riemann curvature tensor.

Meaning

In mathematics and physics, a tensor is a quantity that is independent of the coordinate system used to describe it. Tensors can represent different types of data in fields such as engineering, physics, and computer science.