# Describe how an electric motor works, including how the forces on the coil cause it to rotate.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.7.2 The motor effect · Describe · 4 marks

> An electric motor contains a coil of current-carrying wire placed between two permanent magnets.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The two sides of the coil carry current in opposite directions (to each other)
2. Each side of the coil experiences a force due to the motor effect (interaction between the magnetic field and the current-carrying wire)
3. The forces on the two sides of the coil act in opposite directions
4. The opposing forces cause the coil to rotate

## Key terms

- [electric motor](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/electric-motor)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-an-electric-motor-works-998fe1b2) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.