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Why do tensor indices differ in the Euler equation (fluid dynamics)

Physics Asked by euler132 on June 1, 2021

I am working through the Landau Lifshitz book on Hydrodynamics (sorry, I only have the Russian version). In the chapter where the momentum tensor is derived, the equations are presented in tensor notation. As you can see in the picture, (1) is the momentum equation, (2) is the continuity equation, and (3) is the Euler equation.

Could someone provide an explanation why the tensor indices differ and what does that mean, please? Eq. (3), for instance, has both i and k indices.

enter image description here

Thank you for your help!

One Answer

The first and third equations are shorthand for three equations each, one for each $i=1,2,3$. When an index appears twice (as $k$ does in equations 2 and 3), it means that index is summed over. For instance, equation 2 reads

$$frac{partial rho}{partial t} = sum_{k=1}^3 frac{partial}{partial x_k} (rho v_k) = nabla cdot (rho vec v)$$

Correct answer by J. Murray on June 1, 2021

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