Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-year-2-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2014/paper-2/6/iii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2014 Paper 2 6 iii Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-18
An axial vector transforms under an orthogonal matrix asFor a proper rotation, , so this is the usual polar vector rule. Under an orientation-reversing change, the extra sign distinguishes the two. In particular, spatial inversion leaves an axial vector unchanged while reversing a polar vector.
Let . The determinant identity for the Levi-Civita symbol isIt follows by multiplying the three-index determinant identity by and using orthogonality. The derivative transformation from part (ii) then givesHence the curl of a polar vector field is an axial vector field. The Levi-Civita determinant factor is exactly the extra sign required under reflections.
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