Re: vectors vs. pseudovectors

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

        When you introduce pseudovectors you have to explain the direction
in terms of (I presume, in your case) the right hand rule.  You need to
explain that the choice is arbitrary - Martians, for example, use the
left tentacle rule (and get all tangled up explaining it).
                                Regards,
                                        Jack




On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Joe Heafner wrote:

> Hello.
>
> Is there any aspect of undergraduate physics in which the distinction between *vectors* and *pseudovectors* is essential? I sometimes see pseudovectors defined when the cross product is introduced, but then I don't think I've ever explicitly seen their transformation properties used later on.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Joe
>
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