How do you apply the right hand rule?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
5 replies · 2K views
fa08ti
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
can someone explain the application of the right hand rule? I'm totally lost. i'd like to understand how it's used
 
Physics news on Phys.org
fa08ti said:
can someone explain the application of the right hand rule? I'm totally lost. i'd like to understand how it's used

Can you tell me the area of physics u want ti use it (torque, mag. force or something else?)
 
Hi fa08ti! :smile:

In various learning materials a lot of right hand rules and left hand rules are introduced.
I always forget how they work exactly.

Luckily in each field where one is defined, there is a formula relating the relevant vectors with a cross product.
I you use those formulas, you only need one right hand rule.
The one that is related to the cross product.

Do you know what the cross product is?
And if so how to find the direction of the resultant vector?
 
it's for magnetic force
 
For magnetic force (Lorentz force) there are 2 formulas:

F = q(v x B)
F = L(I x B)

My methodTM (:smile:) is:
Screw the first vector onto the second vector with the fingers of your right hand and your thumb will point into the direction of the force F.
 
[itex]\vec{v}X\vec{B}[/itex] means that angle b/w them turns from v to B
open ur fingers ... point them in direction of v ... curl them along the angle so that they go towards B
then thumb gives force