right hand rule

(noun)

Direction of angular velocity ω and angular momentum L in which the thumb of your right hand points when you curl your fingers in the direction of rotation.

Related Terms

Examples of right hand rule in the following topics:

  • Direction of the Magnetic Force: The Right Hand Rule

    • The right hand rule is used to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a positive charge.
    • The direction of the magnetic force F is perpendicular to the plane formed by v and B, as determined by the right hand rule, which is illustrated in the figure above.
    • The right hand rule states that: to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a positive moving charge, ƒ, point the thumb of the right hand in the direction of v, the fingers in the direction of B, and a perpendicular to the palm points in the direction of F.
    • The direction of the magnetic force on a moving charge is perpendicular to the plane formed by v and B and follows right hand rule–1 (RHR-1) as shown.
    • Apply the right hand rule to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a charge

  • Angular Quantities as Vectors

    • For angular quantities, the direction of the vector is determined using the Right Hand Rule, illustrated in .
    • The right hand rule can be used to find the direction of both the angular momentum and the angular velocity.
    • Using the right hand rule, your right hand would be grasping the pole so that your four fingers (index, middle, ring, and pinky) are following the direction of rotation.
    • Figure (b) shows the right-hand rule.
    • Identify the direction of a vector using the Right Hand Rule

  • Electric Motors

    • The direction of the Lorentz force is perpendicular to both the direction of the flow of current and the magnetic field and can be found using the right-hand rule, shown in .
    • Using your right hand, point your thumb in the direction of the current, and point your first finger in the direction of the magnetic field.

  • Magnitude of the Magnetic Force

    • The direction of the magnetic force $F$is perpendicular to the plane formed by $v$ and $B$ as determined by the right hand rule, which is illustrated in Figure 1 .
    • It states that, to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a positive moving charge, you point the thumb of the right hand in the direction of $v$, the fingers in the direction of $B$, and a perpendicular to the palm points in the direction of $F$.
    • The direction of the magnetic force on a moving charge is perpendicular to the plane formed by v and B and follows right hand rule–1 (RHR-1) as shown.

  • Ampere's Law: Magnetic Field Due to a Long Straight Wire

    • As illustrated in the direction of the magnetic field can be determined using the right hand rule—pointing one's thumb in the direction of current, the curl of one's fingers indicates the direction of the magnetic field around the straight wire.
    • The direction of the magnetic field can be determined by the right hand rule.

  • Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

    • The direction of the magnetic force can be determined using the right hand rule, demonstrated in .

  • Electric vs. Magnetic Forces

    • $E=\left | \frac{F}{q} \right |=k \left | \frac{qQ}{qr^{2}} \right |=k\frac{\left | Q \right |}{r^{2}}$
    • The direction of F can be easily determined by the use of the right hand rule .
    • A magnetic field may also be generated by a current with the field lines envisioned as concentric circles around the current-carrying wire.The magnetic force at any point in this case can be determined with the right hand rule, and will be perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field.
    • The direction of the magnetic force on a moving charge is perpendicular to the plane formed by v and B and follows right hand rule–1 (RHR-1) as shown.

  • Angular vs. Linear Quantities

    • To remove this ambiguity, the convention in physics is to use the right hand rule: curl the fingers of your right hand in the direction of the circular motion, and your thumb will point toward the direction of the angular velocity and momentum vectors.
    • When determining the direction of an angular vector, use the right hand rule: curl the fingers of your right hand in the direction of the circular motion and your thumb points in the vector direction.

  • Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields

    • Another version of the right hand rule emerges from this exploration and is valid for any current segment—point the thumb in the direction of the current, and the fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field loops created by it.
    • The right hand rule can give you the direction of the force on the wire, as seen in the above figure.
    • The right hand rule can be used to determine the direction of the force on a current-carrying wire placed in an external magnetic field.
    • (b) Right hand rule 2 states that, if the right hand thumb points in the direction of the current, the fingers curl in the direction of the field.
    • This rule is consistent with the field mapped for the long straight wire and is valid for any current segment.

  • Motional EMF

    • (The right hand rule requires that I be counterclockwise, which in turn means the top of the rod is positive, as shown. )
    • (a) A motional emf=Bℓv is induced between the rails when this rod moves to the right in the uniform magnetic field.
    • Right hand rule gives the current direction shown, and the polarity of the rod will drive such a current.