Electric motor

An electric motor, is a machine which converts electrical energy into mechanical (rotational or kinetic) energy. A basic electric motor is pictured below.

  

Figure 9.8: Basic electric motor / electric generator

In the motor a current is passed through a loop which is immersed in a magnetic field. A force exists on the top leg of the loop which pulls the loop out of the paper, while a force on the bottom leg of the loop pushes the loop into the paper. The net effect of these forces is to rotate the loop in the direction indicated.