Definition:Right-Hand Rule/Axial Vector
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Definition
Let $\mathbf V$ be an axial vector acting with respect to an axis of rotation $R$.
Consider a right hand with its fingers curled round $R$ so that the fingers are pointed in the direction of rotation of $\mathbf V$ around $R$.
The right-hand rule is the convention that the direction of $\mathbf V$ is the direction in which the thumb is pointing:
Also known as
The right-hand rule for axial vectors is also known as the right-hand screw rule.
This is because it defines the direction of motion of a conventional screw: turn it in a clockwise direction and it screws in.
Sources
- 1951: B. Hague: An Introduction to Vector Analysis (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Definitions. Elements of Vector Algebra: $2$. Graphical Representation of Vectors
- 1957: D.E. Rutherford: Vector Methods (9th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Vector Algebra: $\S 3$