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Right-Hand Rule


CrossProduct

The rule which determines the orientation of the cross product u×v. The right-hand rule states that the orientation of the vectors' cross product is determined by placing u and v tail-to-tail, flattening the right hand, extending it in the direction of u, and then curling the fingers in the direction that the angle v makes with u. The thumb then points in the direction of u×v.

A three-dimensional coordinate system in which the axes satisfy the right-hand rule is called a right-handed coordinate system, while one that does not is called a left-handed coordinate system.


See also

Cross Product, Left-Handed Coordinate System, Right-Handed Coordinate System

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Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Right-Hand Rule." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Right-HandRule.html

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