The Right Hand Rule simply explained

By Mr Yeh

“I gotta hand it to ya.”

The hand rule is a convenient way to remember directional issues with flow in physics dealing with electricity and magnetism.

There are actually 2 classic right hand rules that are taught: one for electricity and one for electromagnetism.

The Shocking Electricity Right hand Rule

The Right Hand Rule, illustrated below, shows a current-carrying wire with a magnetic field. Point your thumb in the direction of the current, and let your fingers assume a curved position, the magnetic field circling around those wires flows in the direction in which your four fingers point.

The Shocking Electricity Right hand Rule

Note the direction of current

And the direction of the magnetic field.

The EM Left Hand Rule… 3 plane model

The Left Hand Rule shows what happens when charged particles (such as electrons in a current) enter a magnetic field.

The index finger points in the direction of a magnetic field, and your middle finger, at a 90 degree angle to your index, points in the direction of the charged particle (current), then your extended thumb (forming an L with your index) points in the direction of the force exerted upon that particle.

The EM Left Hand Rule… converted to a Right Hand Rule 3 plane model shows Fleming’s

principles. Point the thumb of the right hand in the direction of the current and the rest of the fingers in the direction of the magnetic field, which extends from the north pole of a magnet to its south pole. The direction that the palm is facing when the hand is in this position is the direction of the force exerted on current (charged particles)

Note the top visual is still the left hand rule but in the bottom you and visualize the placement of your hand in the model