Explain the difference between left and right.?

Question

If you were talking by radio to an alien who has never been to Earth and has never seen anything manmade, how could you explain to him which direction is left and which is right?
He can not see you and you can not see him.
Or would it be impossible to explain "left" and "right" in words?

Answer 1

This is as simple as saying Yes & No. Negative or positive. Left and Right are opposites.

Answer 2

The typical definition of left and right is unwieldy. In practice, the meaning of relative direction words is conveyed through tradition, acculturation, education, and direct reference.

One common definition of up and down uses gravity and the planet Earth as a frame of reference. Since there is a very noticeable force of gravity acting between the Earth and any other nearby object, down is defined as that direction which an object moves in reference to the Earth when the object is left to fall freely. Up is then defined as the opposite direction of down. Another common definition uses a human body, standing upright, as a frame of reference. In that case, up is defined as the direction from feet to head, perpendicular to the surface of the Earth.

Forward and backward may be defined by referring to an object or person's motion. Forward is defined as the direction in which the object is moving. Backwards is then defined as the opposite of forward. Alternately, forward may be the direction pointed by the observer's nose, defining backward as the direction from the nose to the sagittal border in the observer's skull.

The terms left and right are derived from the fact that some 90% of the population use the hand of the same side of their body for writing and other manual tasks. Through cognate of the word right in the meaning correct or good, the side with the hand most used was defined as the right side. The word left comes from the Old English lyft, meaning weak. This dichotomy can also be seen in the words dextrous and sinister, from the Latin words for right and left.

Dr. H

Answer 3

I could relate it to the relation between the electric and magnetic field, but there is no fundamental reference for the sign of the electric charge or the direction of the magnetic field lines.

If I could use astronomical references, I could say something like: "Relative to the line from the Milky Way galaxy to the Horsehead Nebula, it's the direction of the line to Andromeda."

If we could talk mathematics, I could communicate perpendicular and 1/4 of the way around a circle, but I would be hard put to specify clockwise.

I could tell him how to construct a coil and create a flow of electrons through it. Then, I could say 'left' is the direction it bends the electron beam.

The relevant physical/mathematical concept is called chirality.

Answer 4

if is a big word with a big meaning.we were taught from our youth right from wrong by our parents,but how do we really know right from wrong? right and left is our concept of direction and could be taught to any one or thing that we are able to communicate with. so if you are able to talk on the phone then it is possible to teach on the phone as well..that's my thoughts

Answer 5

LOL,this has to be fundamentally simple, good question.....place a weight (rock?....) in his right hand(?)then explain that the appendage that is heavier is the right side, the lighter is left...now which way is up? ok, now...how far would you hav gotten, if i hadn't called you back?