Fleming's Left-Hand Rule (AQA GCSE Physics): Revision Note

Use Fleming’s left-hand rule to show that if the current-carrying wire is placed into the magnetic field between the poles of the magnet, as shown below, there will be a downwards force acting on the wire.

Answer:

Step 1: Determine the direction of the magnetic field

• Start by pointing your First Finger in the direction of the (magnetic) Field.

Step 2: Determine the direction of the current

• Now rotate your hand around the first finger so that the seCond finger points in the direction of the Current

Step 3: Determine the direction of the force

• The THumb will now be pointing in the direction of the THrust (the force)

• Therefore, this will be the direction in which the wire will move

Remember that the magnetic field is always in the direction from North to South and current is always in the direction of a positive terminal to a negative terminal.

Remember that the rule gives you the direction of the force (the direction the wire moves), not the direction of the current or field. Use it whenever a question asks which direction a conductor will move.