# Explain how an electric motor produces rotation.

> WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales) — 1.9 Electromagnetism · Explain · 4 marks

> An electric motor consists of a coil of wire placed inside a magnetic field. When a current flows through the coil, the motor begins to rotate.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The current-carrying coil experiences a force / the motor effect causes a force on the coil
2. The two sides of the coil that are perpendicular to the magnetic field experience forces in opposite directions
3. Because the forces act in opposite directions, this causes the coil to rotate
4. Fleming's Left-Hand Rule can be used to determine the direction of the force on each side of the coil

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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