Electric motors – Higher
A coil of wire carrying a current in a Area surrounding a magnet that can exert a force on magnetic materials. experiences a force that tends to make it rotate. This effect can be used to make an electric motor .
Jonny Nelson introduces an animated explanation of electromagnetism
Explaining an electric motor
The diagram shows a simple motor using Direct current. (dc).
Starting from the position shown in the diagram of the An electrical device that uses direct current to produce a turning effect.:
- current in the left hand part of the coil causes a downward force and current in the right hand part of the coil causes an upward force
- the coil rotates anti-clockwise because of the forces described above
When the coil is vertical, it moves parallel to the magnetic field, producing no force. This would tend to make the motor come to a stop, but two features allow the coil to continue rotating:
- the momentum of the motor carries it on round a little
- a Part of a dc electric motor that reverses the direction of the current every half turn of the coil. changes the current direction every half turn
Once the conducting brushes reconnect with the commutator after a half turn:
- current flows in the opposite direction through the wire in the coil
- each side of the coil is now near the opposite magnetic pole
This means that the motor effect forces continue to cause anti-clockwise rotation of the coil.