The discussion revolves around understanding the concepts of clockwise and counterclockwise torque, particularly in the context of physics problems. Participants express confusion about how to determine the direction of torque based on various viewpoints and the application of the right-hand rule.
Participants express a range of views on how to determine clockwise versus counterclockwise torque, with no consensus reached. Some agree on the utility of the right-hand rule, while others question its applicability. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to clarify these concepts.
Participants note that the determination of torque direction may depend on the specific scenario and the definitions used, indicating potential limitations in understanding based on varying interpretations of the right-hand rule and viewer perspective.
I agree. Forget clockwise and counterclockwise, just learn how to consistently and correctly apply the right-hand rule. Then you will always get everything in the correct direction regardless if you are in front or behind the "clock".D H said:I too have a problem with the terms "clockwise" and "counterclockwise", as well as with the rule "lefty loosy, righty tighty".
It depends on how you did the calculation. Did you give each counterclockwise torque a positive sign when you added the individual torques to find the net torque?yoshi-chan7 said:I've calculated the net torque already, and I've found them both to be positive. Does that mean that they are both counterclockwise?
Did you try using the "method" that I described in my first post? You can also just ask yourself: If that force were the only force acting, which way would the force make the object turn?And yes, I do know what clockwise and counterclockwise mean when applied to an analog clock. What I'm having trouble with is applying that to physics because everything is denoted by arrows, so therefore if someone like me who has never learned the physical definitions of clockwise and counterclockwise were to distinguish between the two with just basic reasoning from life, he or she would be confused because the arrows can, in an essence, be identified as either clockwise or counterclockwise due to the sheer fact that the arrows aren't moving.
Frankly, I would not bother with the right hand rule for this kind of problem. It's much simpler than that. But if you do use it, then if your thumb ends up pointing out of the page, the torque was counterclockwise; if it points into the page, it was clockwise.The right-hand rule as stated in my book is as follows:
1. Point the fingers of your right hand in the direction of r.
2. Curl your fingers toward the direction of vector F.
3. Your thumb then points approximately in the direction of the torque, in this case out of the page.
So according to the right-hand rule, I am supposed to basically position my hand so that these maneuvers are possible? And even so, which direction would be clockwise and which direction would be counterclockwise? With my thumb toward myself or toward the page?