- #1
snorkack
- 1,926
- 383
The difference between a vector and a pseudovector is that while a vector changes direction on space reflection, a pseudovector does not.
However, a space reflection cannot be done physically, or can it?
Electric current and magnetic field are connected by a hand rule. This means that they cannot be both vectors, otherwise the hand would be reflected on space reflection. And neither can they be both pseudovectors.
How do you actually find out which of the two is a pseudovector - how do you prove that magnetic field is a pseudovector but current is a real vector, and not vice versa?
However, a space reflection cannot be done physically, or can it?
Electric current and magnetic field are connected by a hand rule. This means that they cannot be both vectors, otherwise the hand would be reflected on space reflection. And neither can they be both pseudovectors.
How do you actually find out which of the two is a pseudovector - how do you prove that magnetic field is a pseudovector but current is a real vector, and not vice versa?