Cross Product

Overview


{% \vec{A} \times \vec{B} = AB \; sin \theta \; \hat{n} %}
where {% \hat{n} %} is the unit normal vector pointing perpendicular to the plane containing both {% \vec{A} %} and {% \vec{B} %}.
{% \vec{A} \times (\vec{B} + \vec{C}) = (\vec{A} \times \vec{B}) + (\vec{A} \times \vec{C}) %}
{% (\vec{A} \times \vec{B}) = -(\vec{B} \times \vec{A}) %}

Component Form


{% \vec{A} \times \vec{B} = (A_yB_z - A_z B_y)\hat{x} + (A_zB_x - A_xB_z)\hat{t} + (A_xB_y - A_yB_x) \hat{z} %}
which can be represented as a matrix determinant
{% \begin{vmatrix} \hat{x} & \hat{y} & \hat{z} \\ A_x & A_y & A_z \\ B_x & B_y & B_z \\ \end{vmatrix} %}