EM DC Motor (2) Worksheet
EM DC Motor (2) Worksheet
1. Components of DC motor
Figure 1: A DC Motor
Activity:
a. Identify all components of a DC motor.
b. Orientate the coil to a position when the carbon brushes are no longer in contact
with the split ring (take note of the limitation of the model).
1.3. The carbon brush material used to provide almost frictionless contact
1.4. The spring loaded design of carbon brushes to provide continuous good
electrical contact.
1.5. Aware that carbon brushes will wear out and need to be replaced
1.6. There are two positions in a full revolution where the carbon brushes
are no longer in contact with any parts of the split rings.
Magnetic
Force
X
Y Magnetic
Force
Activity:
a. Deduction of the direction of magnetic forces. With the aids of demonstration items
(the mini DC motor model, magnetic field pattern of current in the coil and magnetic
field pattern of permanent magnet), set up the demo set according to orientation of
Figure 2.1, use superposition method to deduce the direction of the magnetic forces
along AB and along CD.
b. Use Fleming’s Left hand rule as a short cut to verify the direction of the magnetic
forces.
c. Orientate the model to position 2 and deduce the direction of magnetic force using
Fleming’s Left Hand rule. Repeat process for orientation 3 and 4. (Draw magnetic
forces in Figure 2.2)
Figure 2.2
F F
F
F F
F
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 position 4
Figure 2.2
2.9. At position 4, carbon brushes are no longer in contact with any parts of
the split rings.
2.10. There are two positions in a full revolution (360°) where the carbon
brushes are no longer in contact with any parts of the split rings.
3(a) What happens to the motion of the coil at position 4 when there is no magnetic force
acting? Explain your answer.
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3(b) What happens to the motion of the coil if the polarities of the batteries are reversed?
Explain your answer.
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4. Activity: Use the model provided to explain why the DC motor is able to turn in the
same direction for one complete revolution.
D D
C B
N A D
D A
S
D A Position 180° Position 360°
A A
Position 0°
Position 90° Position 270°
Figure 4: Shows the position of the coil with respect to the magnetic field.
Draw the direction of magnetic forces on the coils in Figure 4.
Complete the table
Position 0° 90° 180° 270° 360°
a. Angle between Perpendicular
the magnetic force
and magnetic field
from permanent
magnet
b.Direction of
magnetic forces
along AB
c.Direction of
magnetic forces
along CD
d.Direction of Zero
magnetic forces
along CB (if any)
e. Direction of A to B
current along
AB. e.g. A to B or
B to A.
f. Direction of C to D
current along
CD. e.g. C to D
or D to C
g. Direction of B to C
current along
CB. e.g. C to B or
B to C.
Assumption: The magnetic field from permanent magnet is uniform covering the full
revolution of the coil.
(a) Activity: Connect directly the external power source to the ends of the coil
bypassing the split ring.
Describe the motion of the coil without the split ring. Can the coil turn continuously in
the same direction? Explain your answer.
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(b) With the split ring in place, describe at which positions the current changes
direction. (Use Figure 4)
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