Relative tensor calculus and the tensor time derivative

A relative tensor calculus is formulated for expressing equations of mathematical physics. A tensor time derivative operator ▽ _b ^a is defined which operates on tensors λ^ia...ib. Equations are written in a rigid, flat, inertial or other coordinate system a, altered to relative tensor notation, and are thereby expressed in general flowing coordinate systems or materials b, c, d, .... Mirror tensor expressions for ▽ _b ^a λ^ic...id and ▽ _b ^a λ_ic...id exist in a relative geometry G if and only if a rigid coordinate system a exists in G, where ▽ _b ^a λ^ic = λ _,0c ^ic + λ^kev _ckc ^aic + λ _kc ^ic v _b ^ckc , ▽_jcλ^ic = λ _,jc ^ic + λ^kcΓ _{jc kc} ^ie , and v _b ^aic is the velocity of b relative to a with components in c. These operators are convenient in theoretical analyses and can be incorporated into machine programs for the numerical solution of physical problems.