电动机的工作原理是建立在电磁感应定律、全电路欧姆定律、和电磁力定律等基础上的。当磁极沿顺时针方向旋转，磁极的磁力线切割转子导条，导条中就感应出电动势。电动势的方向由右手定则来确定。因为运动是相对的，假如磁极不动，转子导条沿逆时针方向旋转，则导条中同样也能感应出电动势来。
The working principle of the motor is based on the law of electromagnetic induction, Ohm's law of the whole circuit and the law of electromagnetic force. When the magnetic pole rotates in a clockwise direction, the magnetic line of force of the magnetic pole cuts the rotor guide strip, and the electromotive force is induced in the guide strip. The direction of EMF is determined by the right-hand rule. Since the motion is relative, if the magnetic pole does not move and the rotor guide bar rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the electromotive force can also be induced in the guide bar.