right-hand rule
Finger orientation guide
The right-hand rule is a mnemonic for determining direction in physics and mathematics, particularly for cross products and electromagnetic fields.
Point your right thumb in one direction and curl your fingers—the thumb indicates one vector, the curled fingers another, and the perpendicular result follows from the orientation.
Different versions exist for different applications: Use the right-hand rule to find the direction of the magnetic force.
Force zone around magnets
- currentDirected flow of charge
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- wireThin metallic conductor
- forceStrength or compulsion
flux · solenoid · coil · induction · ampere · motor · generator · electromagnetic
Rotational motion quantity
- torqueRotational force measurement
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- axisRotation reference line
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
curl · thumb · fingers · clockwise · counterclockwise · precession · spinning · twist
At right angles
- orthogonalAt right angles
- axesHeaded chopping tools
- normalConforming to standard
- determinantMatrix-derived scalar quantity
basis · spatial · three-dimensional · thumb · index · middle · curl · fingers
Graph's horizontal reference line
- y-axisGraph's vertical reference
- z-axisThird Cartesian line
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- three-dimensionalHaving volume and depth
spatial · reference frame · axes · orthogonal · chirality · convention
magnetic field
Force zone around magnets
force · flux · solenoid · coil · induction · ampere · motor · generator · electromagnetic · thumb
angular momentum
Rotational motion quantity
gyroscope · curl · thumb · fingers · clockwise · counterclockwise · precession · spinning · twist · circular motion
perpendicular
At right angles
- orthogonalAt right angles
- axesHeaded chopping tools
- normalConforming to standard
determinant · basis · spatial · three-dimensional · thumb · index · middle · curl · fingers · orientation
x-axis
Graph's horizontal reference line
- y-axisGraph's vertical reference
- z-axisThird Cartesian line
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
three-dimensional · spatial · reference frame · axes · orthogonal · chirality · convention