01 Cross Product

01 Cross Product#

Aim#

To visualize the result of a cross product of two vectors.

Subjects#

  • 1A40 (Vectors)

  • 1E30 (Coriolis Effect)

Diagram#

../../../../../_images/figure_020.png

Fig. 57 .#

Equipment#

  • Screw model.

  • Right hand rule model.

Presentation#

  • Rotate the screw into the direction of \(A\) to \(B\). The screw moves into the direction of the result of the cross product of these two vectors. Rotating the screw into the opposite direction makes visible that now also the cross product vector is pointing into the other direction.

  • The small white model is used in case of explaining Coriolis-force in combination with a globe (see Figure 58).

../../../../../_images/figure_117.png

Fig. 58 .#

  • This model is useful because otherwise the professor is twisting his fingers in too many directions trying to visualize the right-hand rule. In this small model the resultant vector of the cross product can point in one way or the other by shifting it through the small tube that is soldered to the fixed vectors \(A\) and \(B\).

Remarks#

Sources#

  • Mansfield, M and O’Sullivan, C., Understanding physics, pag. 183 and 733

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