Motor Effect

Cards (9)

What is an electromagnet?
A solenoid with an added iron core, the iron core increases the strength of the magnetic field
What is the motor effect?
The motor effect is the phenomenon where a current-carrying conductor experiences a force when placed in a magnetic field.
What factors affect the size of the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field?
The magnitude of the current flowing through the conductor, the strength of the magnetic field that the conductor is placed in
If the direction of current is reversed, what happens to the force?
The direction of the force is reserved
Force (N) = magnetic flux density (T) x current (A) x length (M) 
F = BIL
What criteria must be met for the equation F=BIL to apply?
The conductor must be at right-angles to the magnetic field it is placed in
Unit for magnetic flux density??
Tesla, T
How does an electric motor work?
A coil of wire, carrying a current, is placed in a magnetic field so that the forces on the two sides perpendicular the field experience forces in opposite directions, this causes a rotational effect
How are electric motors kept rotating?
A split ring commutator is used, this switches the current direction every half turn, which ensures that the coil keeps spinning