Scalar field

In mathematics and physics, a scalar field associates a scalar value to every point in a space.

Description

The scalar may either be a mathematical number or a physical quantity.

Scalar fields are the subject of scalar field theory.

Coordinate independence

Scalar fields are required to be coordinate-independent, meaning that any two observers using the same units will agree on the value of the scalar field at the same absolute point in space (or spacetime) regardless of their respective points of origin.

Examples

Examples used in physics include:

• The temperature distribution throughout space
• The pressure distribution in a fluid
• Spin-zero quantum fields, such as the Higgs field

See also

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Scalar field theory
• Vector-valued function

External links

• Scalar field @ Wikipedia