What are the Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule and Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule?

Author: Tuto Root

If you want to calculate the effect of a magnetic field on a current carrying conductor, then it is only possible with the help of the Flemings Left-Hand and Right-Hand rule. Moreover, these principles play a vital role in solving various types of problems and understanding major topics and chapters in Physics. However, for people who are learning these principles for the first time, they will be a bit confusing and hard to understand.

Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule or the rule of motors is necessary to calculate the direction of force when a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field. For this rule, the individual must stretch the thumb, index finger, and middle finger in a way that they all stay perpendicular to each other. And at the same time, the conductor placed inside the magnetic field will experience a magnetic force.

  • Thumb: It usually points towards the direction of Force (F).
  • Index Finger: It represents the Direction of Magnetic Field (B).
  • Middle Finger: It states the direction of the Current (I).

Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule

As you can guess from the above section, this law is useful to find out the direction of induced current when a conductor that has current passing through it is kept inside a magnetic field, where it will experience the magnetic force. Similar to the Fleming left-hand rule, the three fingers in the Fleming right hand represent different quantities such as Induced Current, Magnetic Field, and the Direction of Induced Current.

  • Thumb: It states the direction of Motion of the Conductor.
  • Index Finger: It represents the Direction of Magnetic Field(B)
  • Middle Finger: It points in the direction of the Induced Current (I).

There are multiple differences between the Flemings Left-Hand Rule and the Right-Hand Rule, such as

  • The Left-Hand rule is applicable only for electric motors, while the right-hand rule is generally used for electric conductors.
  • The Left-hand rule helps students to calculate or find the direction of magnetic force, and the right one helps them to find the direction of induced current.
  • Third, the middle finger in the left-hand rule states, the direction of the current, and the right one state, the direction of the induced current.

We have talked about Fleming’s Left-Hand and Right-Hand Rule, and the various applications, etc. However, if you are finding it hard to study on your own, especially the concepts in the Physics subject. Then it is better for you to join the online interactive classes offered by Tutoroot, where you can get expert guidance, and access to the best study materials, as well as various other features at cost-effective prices.