Alternators, Dynamos and Oscilloscopes

• What are alternators and dynamos?


  Alternators and dynamos are generators These devices generate electricity from rotational motion (e.g. rotating a coil of wire).'Alternators' and 'dynamos' are different types of generator.
• What is the key difference between an alternator and a dynamo?


  Dynamos have a split ring commutator, while alternators have slip rings and brushes.
• What type of current do dynamos produce and why?

  Dynamos produce direct current due to the split ring commutator.
• What type of current do alternators produce and why?

  Alternators produce alternating current due to the slip rings and brushes.
• How does the coil of wire in an alternator induce voltage and current?


  The coil rotates relative to the magnets, inducing a magnetic field that generates voltage and current.
• What is the effect of slip rings and brushes on the output of an alternator?


  They prevent the contacts from swapping every half turn, allowing for alternating current production.
• What does an oscilloscope visualize in relation to an alternator?


  An oscilloscope visualizes the alternating potential difference and current produced by the alternator.
• What happens to the peaks of oscillations as the coil in an alternator rotates faster?


  The peaks of the oscillations get larger and more frequent as the coil rotates faster.
• How does the split ring commutator affect the output of a dynamo?


  The split ring commutator causes the contacts to swap every half turn, producing direct current.
• Why is direct current (d.c.) always positive on the oscilloscope graph for a dynamo?


  Because the current is always flowing in the same direction.
• What is the relationship between the speed of the coil rotation and the output of a dynamo?


  As the coil rotates faster, the peaks of the oscillations get larger and more frequent.