I agree. Forget clockwise and counterclockwise, just learn how to consistently and correctly apply the right-hand rule. Then you will always get everything in the correct direction regardless if you are in front or behind the "clock".D H said:I too have a problem with the terms "clockwise" and "counterclockwise", as well as with the rule "lefty loosy, righty tighty".
It depends on how you did the calculation. Did you give each counterclockwise torque a positive sign when you added the individual torques to find the net torque?yoshi-chan7 said:I've calculated the net torque already, and I've found them both to be positive. Does that mean that they are both counterclockwise?
Did you try using the "method" that I described in my first post? You can also just ask yourself: If that force were the only force acting, which way would the force make the object turn?And yes, I do know what clockwise and counterclockwise mean when applied to an analog clock. What I'm having trouble with is applying that to physics because everything is denoted by arrows, so therefore if someone like me who has never learned the physical definitions of clockwise and counterclockwise were to distinguish between the two with just basic reasoning from life, he or she would be confused because the arrows can, in an essence, be identified as either clockwise or counterclockwise due to the sheer fact that the arrows aren't moving.
Frankly, I would not bother with the right hand rule for this kind of problem. It's much simpler than that. But if you do use it, then if your thumb ends up pointing out of the page, the torque was counterclockwise; if it points into the page, it was clockwise.The right-hand rule as stated in my book is as follows:
1. Point the fingers of your right hand in the direction of r.
2. Curl your fingers toward the direction of vector F.
3. Your thumb then points approximately in the direction of the torque, in this case out of the page.
So according to the right-hand rule, I am supposed to basically position my hand so that these maneuvers are possible? And even so, which direction would be clockwise and which direction would be counterclockwise? With my thumb toward myself or toward the page?
Clockwise and counterclockwise refer to the direction of rotation, with clockwise being in the same direction as the hands on a clock and counterclockwise being in the opposite direction.
The standard direction of rotation is clockwise, as this is the way clocks and many mechanical devices are designed to rotate. However, there are some exceptions and in certain cultures, counterclockwise may be considered the standard direction.
The direction of rotation can be determined by standing in front of the object and observing the movement. If the object appears to be moving in the same direction as the hands of a clock, it is rotating clockwise. If it appears to be moving in the opposite direction, it is rotating counterclockwise.
In most cases, the direction of rotation does not affect the function of a device. However, there are some instances where the direction of rotation is important, such as in certain types of machinery or in physics experiments.
In science, the direction of rotation is typically determined using the right-hand rule. This rule states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the axis of rotation, your fingers will curl in the direction of rotation. This can be applied to determine the direction of rotation in a variety of scientific contexts.