Cotangent vectors, tensors and pullback
Research context
postgraduate concept · established · As of 2026-10-10
A covector is a linear functional on the tangent space, and a tensor is multilinear on tangent/cotangent inputs.
Key knowledge
A covector is a linear functional on the tangent space, and a tensor is multilinear on tangent/cotangent inputs. For a smooth map F:M→N the tangent map dF pushes vectors forward at a point, while covectors and differential forms pull back by composition with dF. The coordinate transformation rule is essential; a table of components alone is not an invariant tensor.
Values and equations
(F*omega)_p(v1,...,vk)=omega_F(p)(dF_p v1,...,dF_p vk)
- F
- Smooth map M to N
- omega
- Differential k-form on N
- v1,...,vk
- Tangent vectors at p
Conditions and scope
- Pushforward of a vector at a point is defined even if F is not invertible; transporting an entire vector field needs additional conditions.
- A pullback k-form evaluates on k vectors at the source point.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Author checked this English statement, displayed equation where present and stated hypotheses against these source locations: §§1.2, 2.1–2.2, 3.1, 11.1–11.2, 12.1–12.2, 13.1, 15.1–15.3, 17.1–17.3; each record narrows its applicable claim. The check is bounded to the recorded claims; no complete proof reconstruction, software proof replay or universal literature completeness is claimed.
2026-10-10 · Author source-body/statement/equation/domain check, with graph associations scoped individually. Separate independent content/source/inventory review is required before branch closure.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- research-math-tensors-cotangent-pullback
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference