Proper velocity by Hermann Minkowski's flat-space metric equation . Here a reference map frame of yardsticks and synchronized clocks define map position x and map time "t" respectively, and the "d" preceding a coordinate means infinitesimal change. A bit of manipulation allows one to show that proper velocity where as usual coordinate velocity . Thus finite "w" ensures that "v" is less than lightspeed "c". By grouping "γ" with v in the expression for relativistic momentum p, proper velocity also extends the Newtonian form of momentum as mass times velocity to high speeds without a need for relativistic mass. The proper velocity
Velocity gradient analysis, the dimensions of velocity gradient can be determined. The dimensions of velocity are formula_4 , and the dimensions of distance are formula_5. Since the velocity gradient can be expressed as formula_6. Therefore, the velocity gradient has the same dimensions as this ratio, i.e. formula_7. In 3 dimensions, the gradient, formula_8 , of the velocity formula_9 is a second-order tensor which can be expressed as the matrix L: formula_11 can be decomposed into the sum of a symmetric matrix formula_12 and a skew-symmetric matrix formula_13 as follows formula_12 is called the strain rate tensor and describes the rate of stretching