Vector Product
A vector operation multiplying two 3D vectors to yield a vector perpendicular to both, with magnitude equal to the area of the parallelogram they span.
Governing formula
A × B = |A||B| sin θ n_hat
SI unit
Various
In depth
The vector product (cross product) orientation is governed by the right-hand rule. It is anti-commutative (A × B = - B × A) and vanishes for parallel vectors.
Examples in the real world
Calculating torque (τ = r × F) and magnetic Lorentz force (F = q v × B).