Themes > Science > Physics > Electromagnetism > Magnetostatics > Lorentz Force Law > Magnetohydrodynamics and the Lorentz Force Law > Right Hand Rule

For a POSITIVLY charged particle moving (velocity v) in a magnetic field (field B) the direction of the resultant force (force F) can be found by:
  • 1) THUMB of right hand in direction of VELOCITY, v (first vector)
  • 2) INDEX FINGER of r.h. in direction of FIELD, B (second vector)
  • 3) Your PALM (or middle finger if you like) now points in the direction of the FORCE, F (final vector)
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    The force will ALWAYS be perpendicular to the PLANE of the vectors v and B, no matter what the angle between v and B is. Just pretend the following picture is of your right hand:


    Information provided by: http://www.physics.ubc.ca