Monday, October 2, 2017

mathematical physics - What is a dual / cotangent space?


Dual spaces are home to bras in quantum mechanics; cotangent spaces are home to linear maps in the tensor formalism of general relativity. After taking courses in these two subjects, I've still never really understood the physical significance of these "dual spaces," or why they should need to exist. What is a dual / cotangent space? Could someone explain why they are necessary, and what their physical significance is?




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