Stress is tensor,then,what is meant by tensor? (Rupasri asked)
Answer:
Tensor is a mathematical object analogous to but more general than a vector, represented by an array of components that are functions of the coordinates of a space.
Tensors are used to represent correspondences between sets of geometrical vectors.
Refer to the following links for a more detailed analysis.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/Numbers/Math/documents/Tensors_TM2002211716.pdf
Physically, vectors are used to represent locations, velocities, accelerations, flux densities, field
quantities, etc.
Read more at http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/2502/IntroductionToVectorsAndTensorsVol1.pdf?sequence=12