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TOPIC 16: Electromagnetism

Tip 1:

When do you use Fleming's Left-Hand-Rule and when do you use Fleming's Right-Hand-Rule?

Fleming's Left-Hand-Rule is also known as the "Motor Rule". It is used when a current I from an external source (mIddle finger) flows through a conductor in a magnetic Field (Fore finger), resulting in a force being produced to create Motion (thuMb).

Fleming's Right-Hand-Rule is also known as the "Generator Rule". It is used when an external force produces a Motion (thuMb) on a conductor in a magnetic Field (Fore finger), thus inducing a current I (mIddle finger) to flow in the conductor.

In both cases, the magnetic field has to be perpendicular to the conductor in order for the maximum Force/Current to be produced. If the magnetic field is parallel to the conductor, then no Force/Current is produced.

If the magnetic field is slanted at an angle to the conductor, then we need to resolve the magnetic field vector into 2 components: parallel and perpendicular to the conductor, and take the one that is perpendicular.

The resolving of magnetic field vector will be covered in the "A" Level syllabus.