Definition:Right-Hand Rule/Axial Vector

Definition
Let $\mathbf V$ be an axial vector acting with respect to an axis of rotation $R$.

Consider a right hand with its fingers curled round $R$ so that the fingers are pointed in the direction of rotation of $\mathbf V$ around $R$.

The right-hand rule is the convention that the direction of $\mathbf V$ is the direction in which the thumb is pointing:


 * Right-hand-screw-rule.png

Also known as
The right-hand rule is also known as the right-hand screw rule, because it defines the direction of motion of a conventional screw: turn it in a clockwise direction and it screws in.