What physical principle underlies the operation of electric motors?

The operation of electric motors is fundamentally based on the principles of magnetic attraction and repulsion. When an electric current passes through a coil within a magnetic field, it experiences a force due to the interaction between the magnetic field and the magnetic field created by the current in the coil. This interaction causes the coil to rotate, enabling the motor to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

In an electric motor, the design typically includes permanent magnets or electromagnets creating a magnetic field, while the current-carrying coils generate a magnetic field of their own. The interaction between these fields results in forces that push and pull on the coil, causing movement. This is essential for the motor's operation, highlighting the role of magnetic forces in producing motion.

Other principles listed, such as Ohm's Law, focus on the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, and while they are important in understanding circuit operation, they do not directly explain the mechanism of motion in motors. Similarly, Coulomb's Law deals with forces between charged particles and is not particularly relevant to the operation of motors. Electromagnetic induction is crucial for generating electricity but describes a different process than the direct conversion of electrical energy into mechanical motion seen in electric motors.