Motor Blog

Hello again,

My fellow physics friends get ready to start your... " Motors!" That's right, not engines. We are learning about motors right now. In this super short blog, I'm going to explain the function of each part of the motor, why we scrape the current carrying wire in a certain way, why the motor turns, and what it could be used for. I also include a short video of the small motor I built while in physics class.
Here is the big question I will be answering and the one to keep in mind while reading...

Big Question: How does a motor work?


Function of each part of the motor

Battery: The battery has an area of high energy and one of low energy, a difference in v. The difference in v means that when the circuit is complete current will flow from the area of high energy to the area of low energy.

Paper Clips: The paper clips loosely hold the wire connecting the battery to the wire, in order to complete the circuit. The complete circuit means there will be a difference in v and current will flow, since voltage causes current.

Wire: The current carrying wire feels a force in the magnetic field and spins.

Magnet: The function of the magnet is to create a magnetic field that'll put a force on the moving charges in the current carrying wire.

Rubber band: The function of the rubber band is to connect the paperclips to the battery, completing the circuit. The complete circuit allows for there to be a difference in v, which causes current to flow.

Why did you scrape the armature a specific way? 

We scraped the wire either on the top or bottom of each side. When that is done, the wires is pushed away from us and cause a torque. If we scrapped both the top and the bottom, then there would be current flowing on the top and bottom of the current carrying wire. If there is current flowing through the top and bottom of each end of the wire, the wire will be pushed in one direction and then right back to its original position.

Why does the motor turn? 

The motor turns because the current carrying wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field. When perpendicular, the moving charges feel a force The force causes a torque and allows the loop to spin.

Video of my motor





What my motor could be used for

Uses 

My motor could be used to spin blades if they are attached to the current carrying wire. The blades could be used as a fan or a smoothie blender. I could also attach wheels to each end that could move a car.