Can someone explain the right hand rule to me?

Question

I'm taking algebra based physics II and the right hand rule makes little sense to me. It seems to get answers from arbitrary methods of interpretation.

Answer 1

You already know that electrons move through metallic conductors and these moving currents create a magnetic field. But what you don't know is the direction of this field. This is when we use the right hand rule. Keep this in mind:



Thumb = Motion/force

First finger = Field

Second finger = Current



You know how to give a thumbs up right? First you pose that, with 4 in a closed, anticlockwise position. Now imagine a current runs through your thumb. The direction of this current is downward from the wrists (+ charge) and upward to the tip (- charge).



Now we use the rest of the fingers to find the direction of the magnetic field. Four of your fingers point in an anticlockwise position. Imagine these as your field's alignment.



Now imagine having a wire and electricity passes through it. What would be the direction of the magnetic field? Anticlockwise.

Answer 2

There are two coordinate systems in three dimensional space: the left handed system and the right handed system.



In the left handed system, things that swirl clockwise are associated with the direction towards you.



In the right handed system, things that swirl counterclockwise are associated with the direction towards you.



In physics, we used the right handed system. I'm not sure why, but maybe because most people are right handed. It is possible to formulate all of physics with a left handed system, so it is arbitrary which system you use.



However, use the right hand rule because everyone else does it. Peer pressure rules!

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_hand_rule



The universe is arbitrary; the math merely describes it.