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In Fleming's left hand rule, what does the thumb represent?

Electricity - The Motor Effect

How do loudspeakers move, motors spin, or rails launch vehicles? This Physics quiz explores the motor effect and how forces act on current-carrying wires in magnetic fields.

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Fascinating Fact:

The direction of the force depends on the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field.

In GCSE Physics, the motor effect explains how a current-carrying wire placed in a magnetic field experiences a force. You learn how this force is used in electric motors, how the direction of motion depends on both current and field, and how Fleming's left-hand rule helps you predict what will happen in real devices such as speakers, drills and conveyor systems.

Key Terms

Motor effect: The force produced when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field.
Magnetic field: The region around a magnet or current where magnetic forces can act on other magnets or moving charges.
Fleming's left-hand rule: A rule using thumb, first finger and second finger to show the directions of force, field and current.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the motor effect in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, the motor effect is the force on a current-carrying wire placed in a magnetic field. This force is what makes electric motors turn and many devices move.

How do you use Fleming's left-hand rule for the motor effect?

To use Fleming's left-hand rule, point your first finger in the direction of the magnetic field, your second finger in the direction of the current, and your thumb then shows the direction of the force on the conductor.

What factors affect the size of the motor effect force?

The force from the motor effect increases when the magnetic field is stronger, the current is larger, or the length of wire in the field is greater. It is largest when the wire is at right angles to the field lines.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What is produced when a current flows through a wire?

Voltage

Magnetic field

Mass

Neutrons

The magnetic field can be visualised as a pattern of circular lines surrounding the wire. These show up using iron filings on a piece of card

2 .

Which of the following is an application of an electromagnet?

Crane for lifting steel/iron

Drum set

Light switch

PC mouse

Electromagnets can be very powerful

3 .

How can the force applied to a current carrying wire be increased?

Increase magnetic field

Decrease magnetic field

Both increase and decrease magnetic field

Neither increase nor decrease magnetic field

In large electric motors, the magnets are electromagnets

4 .

Another way to increase the force is to …

decrease the current

reverse the current

keep the current the same

increase the current

The force generated by the interaction of the two magnetic fields depends on both of the factors in questions 3 and 4

5 .

An electrical conductor will not experience a force in a circuit if it is placed in what position relative to the magnetic field?

Parallel

Perpendicular

At 45 degrees to the field

At 120 degrees to the field

The two magnetic fields will interact if they are at any angle other than zero degrees

6 .

How can the force experienced by a current carrying wire be reversed?

Reverse direction of current/magnetic field

Increase the current above a threshold point

Decrease the current below a threshold point

You cannot reverse the force felt by a wire

Simple really!

7 .

Fleming's left hand rule can be used to work out the direction of movement (force), magnetic field and current. What does the thumb represent in this rule?

Nothing

Field

Current

Movement (force)

Knowing Fleming's left hand rule can quickly gain you marks. Knowing which direction a particular force, field or current is acting is often required to answer certain questions

8 .

What is used to transfer an electrical current to a loop of wire sitting in a magnetic field, in a motor?

Communicator

Commutator

Commentator

Conductor

Commutators allow current to travel through a circuit despite not being fixed to a position in a circuit. This allows the wires that make up the coil not to become tangled when the motor is spinning

9 .

Revisiting Fleming's left hand rule, the current is represented by …

the thumb

the little finger

second (middle) finger

first finger

First finger = Field, SeCond finger = Current, ThuMb = Movement (direction of force)

10 .

What is the direction of the magnetic field relative to the current in a current carrying wire?

Parallel

Perpendicular

Parallel and perpendicular

The magnetic field in a current carrying wire cannot be measured

In other words, whatever direction the current is flowing, the direction of the magnetic field will be at ninety degrees to that

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Magnetism and the motor effect

Author: Martin Moore

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