Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

When using the right-hand rule for coils, the thumb points toward which pole?

The right-hand rule for coils tells you the direction of the magnetic polarity along the coil’s axis. Grip the coil with your right hand so your fingers curl in the direction of current through the windings; then your thumb points toward the end of the coil that becomes the North pole of the electromagnet. So the end your thumb points to is the North pole. Cardinal directions like East, West, or South aren’t how we designate the coil’s magnetic polarity.

The right-hand rule for coils tells you the direction of the magnetic polarity along the coil’s axis. Grip the coil with your right hand so your fingers curl in the direction of current through the windings; then your thumb points toward the end of the coil that becomes the North pole of the electromagnet. So the end your thumb points to is the North pole. Cardinal directions like East, West, or South aren’t how we designate the coil’s magnetic polarity.