Looking At The Future

Flemings Left-Hand Rule for Electric Motors

Looking at the Future

Flemings left-hand rule for electric motors is one of a pair of visual mnemonics, the other being Flemings right-hand rule for generators. Both rules are important tools for understanding the behavior of electric motors and generators.

Working with Magnets

Flemings left-hand rule is used to predict the direction of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. The rule states that if the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the left hand are extended perpendicular to each other, with the thumb pointing in the direction of the current, the index finger pointing in the direction of the magnetic field, and the middle finger pointing in the direction of the force on the conductor.

Flemings left-hand rule can be used to show that if a current-carrying wire is placed into a magnetic field between the poles of a magnet, as shown below, there will be a force on the wire that causes it to move in a circular motion.

Flemings left-hand rule is a simple and accurate way to find the direction of force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. The rule is an important tool for understanding the behavior of electric motors and generators.