Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 ib Paper 2 2C Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Let be the components of an orthogonal matrix relating two Cartesian frames by . Repeated indices are summed from to . The tensor component transformation law for a Cartesian second-rank tensor isFor a proper rotation, ; the transformation law itself also holds for orthogonal changes of Cartesian frame with determinant .
To find a cubically invariant second-rank tensor, first square each of the prescribed quarter-turns. For example the half-turn about the first axis is . Invariance under forces to vanish. The corresponding half-turns about the other axes eliminate the remaining off-diagonal components, even though symmetry of was never assumed.
Now write . A quarter-turn about the third axis interchanges , so ; a quarter-turn about the first axis gives . Conversely a scalar multiple of the identity matrix is invariant under every rotation. Thus the most general answer is