right-hand rule (redirected from Right-handed rule)

right-hand rule [′rīt ¦hand ′rül]

(electromagnetism)

For a current-carrying wire, the rule that if the fingers of the right hand are placed around the wire so that the thumb points in the direction of current flow, the fingers will be pointing in the direction of the magnetic field produced by the wire. Also known as hand rule.

For a moving wire in a magnetic field, such as the wire on the armature of a generator, if the thumb, first, and second fingers of the right hand are extended at right angles to one another, with the first finger representing the direction of magnetic lines of force and the second finger representing the direction of current flow induced by the wire's motion, the thumb will be pointing in the direction of motion of the wire. Also known as Fleming's rule.