Motor Effect — GCSE Physics Revision
Revise Motor Effect for GCSE Physics. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Loudspeakers & MicrophonesWhat is Motor Effect?
The motor effect is the force experienced by a current-carrying wire when it is placed in a magnetic field. The force is greatest when the wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. This effect is the principle behind the electric motor. The size of the force can be increased by increasing the current, the strength of the magnetic field, or the length of the wire in the field.
Board notes: A Higher Tier topic for all major GCSE Physics boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). Fleming's Left-Hand Rule is essential.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
A wire carrying a current is placed between the poles of a magnet. The magnetic field is directed from left to right, and the current is flowing into the page. What is the direction of the force on the wire? Solution: Using Fleming's Left-Hand Rule: Your First finger (Field) points to the right. Your seCond finger (Current) points into the page. Your ThuMb (Motion) will point upwards. So the force on the wire is upwards.
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Common mistakes
- 1Forgetting that the wire must be in a magnetic field for the motor effect to occur.
- 2Not knowing Fleming's Left-Hand Rule. This rule is used to predict the direction of the force (motion).
- 3Confusing the motor effect with the generator effect (electromagnetic induction). The motor effect uses a current to create motion, while the generator effect uses motion to create a current.
Motor Effect exam questions
Exam-style questions for Motor Effect with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Motor Effect
Core concept
The motor effect is the force experienced by a current-carrying wire when it is placed in a magnetic field. The force is greatest when the wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. This effec…
Frequently asked questions
What is Fleming's Left-Hand Rule?
Fleming's Left-Hand Rule is a mnemonic for remembering the direction of the force in the motor effect. Your thumb represents the direction of the Motion (force), your first finger represents the direction of the magnetic Field, and your second finger represents the direction of the Current.
How does an electric motor work?
An electric motor uses the motor effect to create rotation. A coil of wire in a magnetic field experiences forces on opposite sides, which causes it to spin. A commutator is used to reverse the direction of the current every half turn to keep the coil rotating in the same direction.