<mp-units/framework/representation_concepts.h>
enum class quantity_character : int8_t;
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| real_scalar | |
| complex_scalar | |
| vector | |
| tensor |
Scalars, vectors and tensors are mathematical objects that can be used to denote certain physical quantities and their values. They are as such independent of the particular choice of a coordinate system, whereas each scalar component of a vector or a tensor and each component vector and component tensor depend on that choice.
A scalar is a physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction. It might be a real or complex number which affects which operations are allowed on a quantity.
Vectors are physical quantities that possess both magnitude and direction and whose operations obey the axioms of a vector space.
Tensors can be used to describe more general physical quantities. For example, the Cauchy stress tensor possess magnitude, direction, and orientation qualities.