the electric motor

• Motor effect


  When a conductor such as a wire is carrying a current, it experiences a force in a magnetic field
• How an electric motor works

  1. Current runs in opposite directions on either side of a loop of wire

  2. Loop of wire is placed in a magnetic field

  3. Forces on left and right sides create a moment, making the loop rotate clockwise

  4. Problem: loop stops rotating at 90 degrees

  5. Solution: use a split ring commutator to switch the direction of the current when the loop passes 90 degrees

  6. Commutator allows the motor to keep rotating in the same direction
• Fleming's left hand rule can be used to determine the direction of the force on the wire
• The split ring commutator is a split metal ring connected to conducting brushes, allowing the electric current to pass onto the ring and switch direction