Question about the right hand rule

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the application of the Right Hand Rule (RHR) #2, specifically regarding the force on a conductor when the magnetic field (B) is at an angle to the current (IL). It clarifies that the magnetic field can indeed be at any angle relative to IL, and the RHR still applies by focusing on the component of IL that is perpendicular to B. The palm of the hand represents the direction to curl the fingers from IL to B, which can vary between 0 and 180 degrees. The force (F) will always be perpendicular to both IL and B. Understanding these nuances is essential for correctly applying the RHR in various scenarios.
Josh123
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Hello.

I have a question about RHR #2 (Force in a conductor).

If IL X B = F and
If the fingers represent the direction of the current, the thumb represents the direction of the force and the palm is the direction of the magnetic field, how come the magnetic field can be at an angle other than 90 degrees from IL? In such a case, does the RHR still apply? For example, how would I find the direction of the force on side A (Bottom wire ) in this case:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/LianaBlank/untitled.bmp

B is on the positve X direction (palm)... but IL is at 60 degrees from B.. How do I use my Right Hand rule to find F?
 
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Josh123 said:
Hello.

I have a question about RHR #2 (Force in a conductor).

If IL X B = F and
If the fingers represent the direction of the current, the thumb represents the direction of the force and the palm is the direction of the magnetic field, how come the magnetic field can be at an angle other than 90 degrees from IL? In such a case, does the RHR still apply? For example, how would I find the direction of the force on side A (Bottom wire ) in this case:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/LianaBlank/untitled.bmp

B is on the positve X direction (palm)... but IL is at 60 degrees from B.. How do I use my Right Hand rule to find F?


"palm" is the problem. B is not in the direction of the palm. The palm is merely the direction toward which you must curl your fingers to get from the direction of L to the direction of B through the smaller angle. That angle can be anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Josh123 said:
If IL X B = F and
If the fingers represent the direction of the current, the thumb represents the direction of the force and the palm is the direction of the magnetic field, how come the magnetic field can be at an angle other than 90 degrees from IL?
The magnetic field can be anywhere it wants to be with respect to IL, of course. But F will always turn out to be 90 degrees from both IL and B.
In such a case, does the RHR still apply? ...
B is on the positve X direction (palm)... but IL is at 60 degrees from B.. How do I use my Right Hand rule to find F?
Sure the right hand rule applies. It may be easiest to just consider the component of IL perpendicular to B (and ignore the component parallel to B, since it will create no force!).
 
OlderDan said:
"palm" is the problem. B is not in the direction of the palm. The palm is merely the direction toward which you must curl your fingers to get from the direction of L to the direction of B through the smaller angle. That angle can be anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees
I'm glad you mentioned that Dan (I was just going to myself).

The "right hand rule" that I use is the one that Dan describes. To find \vec{A}\times\vec{B}, I "curl" my fingers from A to B... my thumb indicates the direction of the cross-product.

(There are several versions of the right hand rule; some are better than others. :smile: )
 
Thanks Doc... I'll check it out
 
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