Fleming 's left - hand rule and the Fleming 's right- hand rule are basic rules applicable in both magnetism and the electromagnetism. John Ambrose Fleming discovered them in the late 19th century as a simple way to determine the direction of motion in the electric motor or the direction of electric current in an electric generator. Learn how to use Fleming 's left - hand rule and right- hand rule to find the direction of magnetic force, current and field in electric motors and generators. See examples, tips, FAQs and videos on magnetism and electromagnetism. Flemings hand rules are used for that. An English electrical engineer and physicist John Ambrose Fleming stated two rules in late 19th century to determine the direction of induced EMF and force acting on a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field. These rules popularly known as Flemings Left Hand Rule and Flemings Right Hand Rule . Learn how to use Fleming 's left - hand rule and right- hand rule to determine the direction of force, current, and magnetic field in electromagnetism. See definitions, examples, videos, and FAQs on these rules.