Alternators And Dynamos

• How do Alternators function?

  Alternators/AC generators function via a coil of wire that rotates in a magnetic field

  As the coil turns the coil cuts through the magnetic field and a potential difference and therefore current is induced in the coil

  
• What is the purpose of the pointer in an alternator?


  -The pointer continuously deflects both ways to demonstrate how the current in the circuit repeatedly changes as the coil spins
• What is the purpose of slip rings / commutator rings in an alternator?

  Slip rings connect the coil and the circuit

  Slip rings are used to keep a constant connection between the coil and the pointer

  This ensures that current can flow continuously despite the rotation of the coil
• TRUE OR FALSE:To generate an alternating current the coil spins back and fourth with produces an alternating current in the cirucit in an ac generator?

  FALSE: In an alternator the coil moves consistently in one direction and the current changes every half turn the coil takes
• 1.An alternator produces what type of Current?

  2.A Dynamo produces what type of current?

  -An alternator produces an alternating current

  -A dynamo produces a direct current
• What does an A.C Generator graph look like?


  Its style is like a transverse wave. It goes down and hits the main line at 90 degrees it then hits its trough at 180 degrees. It reaches the main line again at 270 degrees and goes back up towards 360 degrees

  
• How does a Dynamo work and what is it used for?

  -A dynamo is a direct current generator and is therefore used to produce direct current

  -A dynamo works similarly to an alternator except it uses a split ring commutator which changes the connection between the coil and brushes every half turn to keep the current flowing the same direction

  -This occurs every time the coil becomes perpendicular to the magnetic field/90 degrees
• How does the potential difference vary in a dynamo?

  Rather than going back and fourth between positive and negative like an alternator is varies from a value of zero to maximum and never changes polarity (Postive to negative)
• What would a Direct current generator (Dynamo) graph look like?

  It would be a graph that moves between a positive value to 0 value therefore the line would go up and come down but no form any troughs as it doesn't cross the line as it never switches polarities