Right Hand Rules in Physics: Is There a Way Around It?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pseudo Statistic
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    hand Rules
Click For Summary
Understanding magnetic fields and forces can be challenging, particularly when using the right-hand rule for direction. While the right-hand rule serves as a useful mnemonic for the cross product, alternative methods for determining directions mathematically do exist. Some suggest approximating directions on paper, but using the right hand remains the quickest reference. Resources like instructional videos can provide further clarity on the right-hand rule. Mastery of these concepts is essential for grasping the fundamentals of physics.
Pseudo Statistic
Messages
391
Reaction score
6
Hey,
We recently started learning about magnetic fields and forces in physics and we took these weird right hand rules...
After much attempt I cannot, for the life of me, figure them out.
Is there any way I can find the direction of the field or a force without using my right hand? Like on paper or mathematically or something? (Choosing "approximate directions" ofcourse)
Thanks for any responses.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The right-hand rule is a mnemonic for the cross product. The algebra of the cross product is already oriented.
However, for quick reference, you should just use your right hand.
 
Last edited:
Be sure to check out these http://physics.syr.edu/courses/video/RightHandRule/index2.html" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thread 'Is this a coincidence?... (distances between planets)'

I'm not a student or graduate in Astrophysics.. Wish i were though... I was playing with distances between planets... I found that Mars, Ceres, Jupiter and Saturn have somthing in common... They are in a kind of ratio with another.. They all got a difference about 1,84 to 1,88x the distance from the previous planet, sub-planet. On average 1,845x. I thought this can be coincidential. So i took the big moons of Jupiter and Saturn to do the same thing jupiter; Io, Europa and Ganymede have a...
View full post »

Similar threads

Direction of force without right-hand rule?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Understanding Conventions in Engineering: The Role of Rules and Consistency
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Undergrad How is Fleming's left hand rule applied in Hall effect
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
Question about right hand rule for physics
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Confusion about the right hand rule (Lorentz Force)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Two variants of the Right hand rule
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Right Hand Rule for Electromagnets
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
What is the Direction of Magnetic Field Lines?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Fleming's left and right hand rule - how do they work?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Magnetic Forces & Moving Wires: The Right Hand Rule
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K