What does the right-hand rule help determine in physics?

The right-hand rule is a fundamental concept in physics, particularly in the areas of electromagnetism and rotational motion. It provides a simple way to determine the direction of vectors in three-dimensional space. Specifically, in the context of torque and angular momentum, the right-hand rule is used to define the direction of these vectors based on the orientation of other related vectors.

For example, when calculating torque, if you curl the fingers of your right hand in the direction of rotation (the direction in which a force would cause an object to turn), your thumb will point in the direction of the torque vector. Similarly, for angular momentum, if you visualize the rotational motion of an object, the right-hand rule again lets you find the direction of the angular momentum vector based on its rotational direction.

This application is crucial in many physics problems involving rotational dynamics, making it a vital tool for understanding how forces act on rotating bodies and how those forces relate to motion. The other options provided do not pertain to the right-hand rule, as they concern different principles altogether.