Magnetism: I Need Help Understanding the Hand Rule!

[St@rbury]

Magnetism! Help!

can someone please explain the hand rule thing to me...i am dead lost when teacher is explaining it. All i know is that your thumb is N and the bottom of your hand is S...please help!

 

[Snazzy]

Err, your thumb points in the direction of positive current, and your fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field.

 

[St@rbury]

what about finding the direction of induced current?

 

[Snazzy]

Whatever change in magnetic flux there is, the induced current will make a magnetic field to counter that change in flux.

 

[St@rbury]

i mean using the hand rule...how do i do it?

 

[Snazzy]

Curl your fingers around a wire and point your thumb in the direction of current. Then curl your fingers around the wire in a way that you're opposing the change in flux. Your thumb will be in the direction of the induced current.