## Rank - Number of indices - Basis vectors per dimension/component - 0 - Scalar - 1 - Column Vector - 2 - Square Matrix - 3 - Cube matrix Matrices are not inherently rank-2 tensors. Matrices are just the formatting structure. The tensor described by the matrix must follow the transformation rules to be a tensor ![[tensor.png]] # Transformation Rules 1. Transforms like a tensor 2. Invariant to a change in coordinate system - Components change according to mathematical formulae ## Dimension - Dimensionality to the rank = number of components An $n$-[rank](https://mathworld.wolfram.com/TensorRank.html) tensor in $m$-dimensional space is a mathematical object that has $n$ indices and $m^n$ components and obeys certain transformation rules From <[wolfram](https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Tensor.html)>