right-hand rule

American  

[rahyt-hand rool] / ˈraɪtˌhænd ˈrul /

noun

1. Mathematics. a mnemonic used to represent three-dimensional axis orientation and to establish the cross-product direction of two vectors, the depiction of which involves a specified pointing of the right hand's fingers relative to each vector's direction, with the thumb indicating the direction of the cross product.

2. Physics. a mnemonic used for determining the direction of induced current in a wire as it moves through a magnetic field, depicted by posing the right hand's thumb, index finger, and middle finger at right angles to each other, with the thumb pointing in the direction of motion of the wire, the index finger in the direction of the field, and the middle finger thus in the direction of the induced current.

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right-hand rule Scientific  

1. A rule that uses the shape the right hand to established the standard orientation of vector quantities normal to a plane, especially when calculating a vector product or the helicity of particle spin. In the case of the vector product C = A × B, the direction of C is obtained by pointing the right hand with fingers straight in the direction of A, and then bending the fingers in the direction of B; the extended thumb now roughly points in the direction of C. For spin, the fingers of the right hand should curl in the direction of motion, and the thumb shows the direction of the spin vector.

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Example Sentences

This makes sense if we think about the right-hand rule.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

If we apply the right-hand rule to v × u, we start with our fingers pointed in the direction of v, then curl our fingers toward the vector u.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Although it may not be obvious from Equation 2.9, the direction of u × v is given by the right-hand rule.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

We can use the right-hand rule to determine the direction of each product.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The right-hand rule defines both to be perpendicular to the plane of rotation in the direction shown.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015