A Central Thought of Vector Analysis as used in Physics

Abstract

VECTOR analysis is now recognised fully as furnishing standard modes of expression for many ranges mathematical and physical thought; and meanwhile, the atmosphere of the physical thought especially is continually reacting upon the newer analytic method, and adapting it with preciser discrimination the needs of actual use. Thus the dichotomous arrangement of quantities as scalar or vector been supplemented by the tensor-triplet as a tertium quid, vectors are habitually grouped as free or localised, pseudo-scalars have been set off from pure scalars. Something has been done, too, through influence of ascertained physical connections, toward unifying discrete formal results by appreciating real underlying articulation. Such advances as are made deserve immediate incorporation in the accepted text, likely to render the methods more widely available; and the serving of that end has suggested presenting the notes that follow.