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    • Unit 1: One Dimensional Motion: Physics Introduction
    • Unit 2: Two Dimensional Motion: Projectile and Non-Projectile
    • Unit 3: Newton’s Laws of Motion and Force
    • Unit 4: Universal Gravitation and Circular Motion
    • Unit 5: Work, Power, Mechanical Energy, and Simple Machines
    • Unit 6: Momentum Impulse and Conservation of Momentum
    • Unit 7: Electrostatics
    • Unit 8: Current and Circuits
    • Unit 9: Magnets and Magnetism
    • Unit 10: Waves
    • Unit 11: Electromagnetic Waves
    • Unit 12: Nuclear Physics
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Right Hand Rules

Right Hand Rule

A right hand rule is a mnemonic used to memorize a concept.  Right hand rules use parts of your right hand to represent directions of variables.  These variables changes from rule to rule depending on concept.

Important Notes to Avoid Confusion:

  • Be sure you are using your right hand and not your left
  • Follow the same direction notation in your answer
    • North, east, south, west, into the earth, away from earth
    • Up the page, right, down the page, left, into the page, out of the page
    • Forward, right, back, left, down, up

Right Hand Rule Configuration 1 Directions

Besides up, down, left, right, we use a circle with center dot to represent an arrow tip coming towards you.  A circle and an X represents an arrow going away as you observe the fletching, or rear cross feathers.

In the picture here the thumb is pointing to the right.  The forefinger is pointing up and the middle finger is directed towards you.  This configuration is used to represent three dimensions.

You will always keep you hand in this configuration and knowing two direction variables help you find a third.

Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule Configuration 1

Right Hand Rule Configuration 2 Directions

In this right hand rule the thumb is held in the "thumbs up" position.  The thumb is considered forward and the fingers are curled around that direction.

Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule Configuration 2
Right Hand Rule Configuration 2
Right Hand Rule Configuration 2
Right Hand Rule Configuration 2
Right Hand Rule Configuration 2

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Unit 1: One Dimensional Motion
Unit 2: 2D Motion
Unit 3: Newton’s Laws and Force
Unit 4: Universal Gravitation and Circular Motion
Unit 5: Work, Power, Mechanical Advantage, and Simple Machines
Unit 6: Momentum, Impulse, and Conservation of Momentum
Unit 7: Electrostatics
Unit 8: Current and Circuits
Unit 9: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Unit 10: Intro to Waves
Unit 11: Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 12: Nuclear Physics

AP Physics 1 Pages (Deeper Dive into Concepts)

DIY Creations for Fun and Physics

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