Right-hand rule

The right-hand rule is a mnemonic for determining the direction of a magnetic field produced by an electric current, using the orientation of the right hand.

Ampère's right-hand grip rule: A right-hand rule in which the thumb points along conventional current and curled fingers indicate magnetic-field direction around the conductor. This is the direct hand-to-field procedure for a straight current-carrying wire.
Electric current: The rate at which electric charge passes through a surface. A current supplies the directed flow that the rule uses.
Solenoid: A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. Curling fingers along coil current points the thumb toward its field’s north end.
Left-hand rule: A family of directional mnemonics that use the left hand for specified physical conventions. It contrasts with the right-hand convention used for magnetic fields from current.
Conventional current: The assigned direction of electric current, defined as the direction positive charge would move. The thumb follows conventional current, not the motion of electrons.
Electric charge: A property of matter that produces electric interactions and is measured in coulombs. Charge motion constitutes current and sets its conventional direction.
Electromagnet: A magnet whose field is produced by electric current, usually in a coil. The rule helps determine its polarity from the winding and current direction.
Fleming's left-hand rule: A mnemonic for finding the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field using the left hand. It predicts motor-force direction rather than the field around a current.
Magnetic field: A vector field that describes magnetic influence at each point in space. The rule specifies the field’s direction around a current.
Vector: A quantity with magnitude and direction. The rule determines a direction, not a field’s strength.

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