This deep dive covers The Motor Effect within The Motor Effect for GCSE Physics. Revise The Motor Effect in Magnetism for GCSE Physics with 19 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 2 of 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🔬 The Motor Effect
When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a force. This happens because the conductor's own magnetic field (from the current) interacts with the external field.
The principle: A current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force.
Conditions:
- Current must be flowing through the conductor
- Conductor must be in a magnetic field
- Current must NOT be parallel to field (maximum force when perpendicular)
To increase the force:
- Increase the magnetic field strength (stronger magnets, larger B)
- Increase the current (larger I)
- Increase the length of wire in the field (larger L)
Practice questions for The Motor Effect
What is the motor effect?
Explain how Fleming's left-hand rule is used to find the direction of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.