alternating unit tensor

From Glossary of Meteorology
A mathematical function with symbol εijk defined to switch between the discrete values of +1, 0, and -1, depending on the values of the three indices i, j, and k:
ams2001glos-Ae16
It is one of the tools used in Einstein's summation notation to handle operations equivalent to cross products in vector notation. For example: A × B = εijkAiBjδk, where Ai and Bj represent vectors in summation notation, and δk is the unit vector. Subscripts or indices i, j, and k must each take on the values of 1, 2, and 3, representing the Cartesian directions of x, y, and z. The alternating unit tensor is useful to describe the Coriolis term in the equations of motion: ∂Ui/ ∂t = . . . + fεij3Uj + . . ., where f is the Coriolis parameter, Ui and Uj are wind components, and t is time. Summation notation is commonly used in atmospheric turbulence studies.
Stull, R. B. 1988. An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology. 666 pp.


Copyright 2024 American Meteorological Society (AMS). For permission to reuse any portion of this work, please contact permissions@ametsoc.org. Any use of material in this work that is determined to be “fair use” under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S. Code § 107) or that satisfies the conditions specified in Section 108 of the U.S.Copyright Act (17 USC § 108) does not require AMS’s permission. Republication, systematic reproduction, posting in electronic form, such as on a website or in a searchable database, or other uses of this material, except as exempted by the above statement, require written permission or a license from AMS. Additional details are provided in the AMS Copyright Policy statement.