Right Hand Rules.

Right Hand Rule #1 (conductor)
Hans Christian Oersted's discovery and and principle that an electric current induces magnetism is represented by a simple rule known as the Right Hand Rule #1.

In this diagram the red line represents the conductor and the blue lines represent the magnetic field. For Right hand rule #1, you use your fingers to represent the magnetic field that is induced by the current (I) and the thumb indicates the direction of the current. If you grasp a conductor with your thumb pointing in the direction of the current, if you claw like a cat, you can find the direction of the magnetic field. If you have either the I or B (magnetic field) you can use the Right Hand Rule #1 in conductors to find the other.




Right Hand Rule #2 (solenoid/electromagnet)
Faraday's principle acknowledges that the change in magnetism will induce a current based on Oersted's discovery. This principle can be explained by using Right Hand Rule #3.

 

In Right Hand Rule #2, the fingers coil in the direction of the current and the direction that the thumb points is the north pole.

Right Hand Rule #3 (motor)

In Right Hand Rule #3, this rule can be used to explain how motors work. For Right Hand Rule #3, point using your thumb the direction that the current is going in. You release your fingers and point them in the direction of the magnetic field from the north to south pole. Whichever way the palm of your hand points, that is the direction of the force on the conductor placed between the magnets.

Motor Principle

The motor principle is when a conductor carrying a current is found perpendicular to an external magnetic field; the conductor will encounter a force that is perpendicular to the magnetic field it is found in and to itself. We can use the Right Hand Rule #3 to determine the direction of the force that will be applied to the conductor. For Right Hand Rule #3, your fingers point in the direction of the magnetic field, from North to South and the thumb points in the direction of the current. Whichever way the palm of your hand is pointing, is the direction of the force that is exerted of the conductor. For the motor we built, when an electric current is passed through the wires and a magnetic field created by the magnets is present; a force is exerted on the conducting wires causing the cork to rotate 180°. In order for the cork to rotate 360° and make a full turn, you must add commutator pins and brushes. With the addition of these materials, this time when the cork spins half way and the commutator pins come in contact with the brushes, the current is reversed. When you reapply Right Hand Rule #3 to the situation you find out that the force is changed and this change will make the cork spin another 180° making it complete the full turn. 

*Right hand rules determine the direction of conventional current, from positive to negative. If you want to find electron flow, you must use your left hand.