Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2012/ia/paper-3/4c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2012 ia Paper 3 4C Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-07
A Cartesian second-rank tensor is an isotropic tensor if its components are unchanged under every proper rotation matrix :The Kronecker delta is isotropic because , the orthogonality relation .
No symmetry of needs to be assumed. A half-turn about the first axis has matrix ; invariance under it forces to vanish. A half-turn about the second axis additionally kills and . Thus . Each half-turn is the square of an allowed quarter-turn. A quarter-turn about the third axis interchanges , so they are equal. A quarter-turn about the second axis interchanges , so all three are equal. Consequently the complete family of isotropic second-rank tensors isConversely, every member of this family is invariant because .
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