2tensor
2tensor is a term commonly used to denote a second-order tensor, a mathematical object that generalizes scalars and vectors to a multilinear setting. In finite-dimensional vector spaces, a 2tensor can be represented by a matrix of components relative to a chosen basis, making it a central object in linear algebra, physics, and engineering.
Formally, a 2tensor can be viewed as a bilinear map T: V × V → F, or equivalently
Two common properties are symmetry and skew-symmetry. A symmetric 2tensor satisfies Tij = Tji, and a skew-symmetric
Applications of 2tensors span physics, engineering, and statistics. The stress tensor and moment of inertia are
In computation, a 2tensor is often stored as a two-dimensional array and manipulated using matrix operations.
See also: tensor, second-order tensor, matrix, bilinear form, multilinear algebra.