Direction of force using right hand rule

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on using the right-hand rule to determine the direction of force in a magnetic field. The user confirms the use of the equation F=BiLsin(theta) to find the force's magnitude, which is calculated as 3N. There is confusion regarding the angle theta, which is clarified as the angle between the magnetic field (B) and the current (i). The right-hand rule is emphasized as a method to find the direction of the magnetic field created by the wire, while additional resources are provided for further understanding. Ultimately, the correct application of the right-hand rule indicates that the force direction is into the page.
t_n_p
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Homework Statement



http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5084/71282075fy0.jpg

Homework Equations



There are many variations on the right hand rule, but I'm most confortable with the following. Current is in the direction of thumb, B field is in direction of fingers and F shoots out of the palm

The Attempt at a Solution



I can find the magnitude easily using F=BiLsin(theta). I get 3N. Can someone just confirm that theta is the angle between B and i? I'm not sure how to find the direction with the right hand rule in such a case (where there is an angle between B and I). For reference, the answer is into the page.
 
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t_n_p said:
Can someone just confirm that theta is the angle between B and i?
Sounds good to me
t_n_p said:
I'm not sure how to find the direction with the right hand rule in such a case (where there is an angle between B and I). For reference, the answer is into the page.
This right-hand rule tells you the direction of the magnetic field created by the wire, not the direction of the force on the wire. See this page <http://www.molecularexpressions.com/electromag/electricity/generators/index.html> for more information. The rule you need is in figure 9.
 
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left hand rule? never heard of such a thing!
Are you aware of any other methods to find direction of force using right hand rules?
 
Here are two links that may help with the right hand rule:
http://www.physics.brocku.ca/faculty/sternin/120/slides/rh-rule.html
http://physics.syr.edu/courses/video/RightHandRule/

I always use the version that's shown (in the first link) in the right most middle diagram--where the fingers curl from one vector to the other and the thumb gives you the force. The second link shows videos of someone actually using it in every possible case!
 
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t_n_p said:
I'm not sure how to find the direction with the right hand rule in such a case (where there is an angle between B and I). For reference, the answer is into the page.

Go ahead and use the right hand rule that you wrote... you should get your palm facing into the page...
 

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