The left-hand rule, often associated with electric motors, was popularized by the physicist **John Ambrose Fleming** in the early 20th century. Fleming introduced this rule to help remember the direction of force, magnetic field, and current in a motor.
### Details of Fleming's Left-Hand Rule:
- **Thumb**: Represents the direction of the **force** (motion of the conductor).
- **Index Finger**: Represents the direction of the **magnetic field** (from North to South).
- **Middle Finger**: Represents the direction of the **current** (from positive to negative).
### Application:
Fleming's left-hand rule is particularly useful in determining how an electric motor works. When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a force that causes it to move, and the rule helps visualize the relationships between these three vectors.
### Additional Note:
Fleming's left-hand rule is often contrasted with Fleming's right-hand rule, which is used for generators and indicates the relationship between motion, magnetic field, and induced current.
### Conclusion:
Fleming's contributions, including this rule, have been fundamental in the fields of electrical engineering and physics, helping students and professionals understand the principles governing electromagnetism and motor function.