185 One-Form

A linear functional on a vector space that is used as the integrand of a line integral.

definition (1-form = linear functional = covector = covariant vector) A linear, real-valued function of a single vector input, \(\boldsymbol{\omega}: \mathbf{V} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}\), which satisfies the following conditions for all vectors and scalars:

  • (Additivity) \(\boldsymbol{\omega}(\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}) = \boldsymbol{\omega}(\mathbf{u}) + \boldsymbol{\omega}(\mathbf{v})\).
  • (Homogeneity) \(\boldsymbol{\omega}(k\mathbf{v}) = k \cdot \boldsymbol{\omega}(\mathbf{v})\).

where

  • \(\mathbf{V}\) is a real vector space.
  • \(\mathbb{R}\) is the set of real numbers.
  • \(\boldsymbol{\omega}\) is a 1-form.
  • \(\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\) are vectors in \(\mathbf{V}\).
  • \(k\) is a scalar.

185.1 Elementary Example

185.1.1 Simple

A one-form is a linear functional on vectors.

\[ \omega : V \rightarrow \mathbb{R} \]

\[ V = \{ e_{1},\ e_{2},\ e_{3} \} \]

\[ \omega(e_{1}) = 3,\quad \omega(e_{2}) = -1,\quad \omega(e_{3}) = 4 \]

where

  • \(\omega\) is the one-form.
  • \(e_{i}\) are basis vectors.