Electric motor coils. Coils of electrical wires (solenoids) inside a small demonstration electric motor. The connection points at left, and upper right and lower right, are where electric wires connect to supply power to the motor. This motor works on the principles of electromagnetism. Electric current running through the coil at left forms a magnetic field that rotates the coils at right. This converts electrical energy into rotary mechanical motion. Components attached to the shaft will be rotated by the motor.