The vector product of two vectors A and B is a vector
A×B=∣A∣∣B∣sinθn^,
whose magnitude is ABsinθ (θ the angle between them) and whose direction n^ is perpendicular to the plane of A and B, given by the right‑hand rule.
Key properties: it is anti‑commutative, A×B=−B×A, so the two products point in opposite directions (angle 180∘ between them); the cross product of parallel or anti‑parallel vectors is the null vector (sin0=0); and it is maximum for perpendicular vectors. In components,
A×B=i^AxBxj^AyByk^AzBz.
Dividing A×B by its magnitude gives the unit vector perpendicular to both. The cross product defines torque, angular momentum, magnetic force and area vectors. …