How to use fleming's left hand rule.

When a conductors carrying current is placed in a magnetic field, the field exerts a force on the conductor and vice versa. Fleming's left hand rule is a tool that you can use to help work out the relative directions of current, motion (force) and magnetic field. [Use diagram to show hand use. Thumb - motion, first finger - field, second finger - current].

Then demonstrate how to use the hand to help answer typical questions as I have found that students often struggle to actually make the correct shape with their own hands. Get them to use this technique to answer question: if current is flowing into the page and the field lines are going away from you which direction is the wire going to move? Answer: to the right.

EP
Answered by Emily P. Physics tutor

6381 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

X-rays and gamma rays have different uses. Describe one use for X-rays and one use for gamma rays.


Describe how the velocity and forces acting on a skydiver change during their fall (6 marks)


Explain why the moon is not pulled away from the Earth by the Sun.


What is the conservation of energy?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning