Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the application of the right hand rule (RHR) in magnetism, specifically regarding whether it is limited to cases where the vectors involved (magnetic field, force, and current) are orthogonal to each other or if it can be applied in other scenarios as well. The scope includes conceptual clarification and technical reasoning related to magnetism.
Discussion Character
- Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions if the right hand rule is only applicable when the magnetic field, force, and current vectors are orthogonal.
- Another participant asks for clarification on situations where the vectors are not orthogonal.
- A different participant argues that the vectors are not always orthogonal, referencing the formula for magnetic force, F = qvB sin(theta), which indicates that the angle between the velocity vector and the magnetic field can vary.
- One participant provides an example involving a wire with current, suggesting that while the force can act at any angle, only the component of the force that is orthogonal to the current contributes to the magnetic field, which is also orthogonal to both the current and that component of the force.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the applicability of the right hand rule in non-orthogonal scenarios, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.
Contextual Notes
The discussion touches on the dependence of the right hand rule's applicability on the orientation of vectors and the implications of the sine function in the magnetic force formula, but these aspects remain unresolved.