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Electric Motor Facts & Worksheets

Electric Motor is a sort of machinery that uses electromagnetic phenomena to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy.

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Electric motors are a sort of machinery that use electromagnetic phenomena to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy. They are surprisingly widespread and can be found in everything from remote-controlled cars to electric trains.

See the fact file below for more information on Electric motors, or you can download our 27-page Electric motors worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND HISTORY 

  • The work of Scottish Benedictine monk and scientist Andrew Gordon led to the invention of the first electric motors in the 1740s. While experimenting with electromagnetic fields and learning how to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy, other scientists like Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry carried on with the development of the first electric motors.
  • The first electric motor powered by batteries was created by Vermonter Thomas Davenport in 1834, and changed the course of history. His creation was used to power a small printing machine because it was the first electric motor with sufficient power to complete a task.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES: ELECTRIC MOTOR

  • The key to understanding how an electric motor works is to understand how the electromagnet operates.
  • Electric motors are an example of how Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule is used; the force created by an electric current passing through a coil in the presence of a magnetic field causes the motor shaft to rotate.
  • According to Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule, if the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger are arranged in a straight line on the left hand, the thumb will point in the direction of the force experienced by the conductor, the forefinger will point in the direction of the magnetic field, and the middle finger will point in the direction of the
  • electric current.
  • The wires that transport the current in an electric motor are looped and placed at a right-angle to the magnetic field of the electric motor. The wires are moved in opposite directions at either end because the magnetic field has two polarities. This causes a spinning motion.

DIFFERENT TYPES: ELECTRIC MOTOR

  • AC Motor. Magnetic fields produced by coils encircling the output shaft provide the energy in this motor. It is also a practical option for many power generation needs since it is effective, long-lasting, quiet, and adaptable.
  • DC Motor. Batteries or another produced power source that provides consistent voltage are where a DC motor gets its energy. Compared to AC motors, DC motors have better speed variation, control, and torque production.
  • Synchronous Motor. The rotor rotation frequency is synced with the supply current frequency, and the speed remains constant under fluctuating loads. This motor is employed in machines because it aids in maintaining a steady speed for motors.
  • Induction Motor. The magnetic field created by the rotor’s magnetic field is the basis for how this motor operates. It is divided into two categories based on its load carrying capabilities – single-phase and three-phase.
  • Brushed Motor. These classic DC motors are utilized in straightforward applications with a very basic control scheme. Consumer and fundamental industrial applications both make use of them. They are divided into four categories – series wound, shunt wound, compound wound, and permanent magnet.
  • Brushless Motor. When used in higher applications, these motors have a simpler design and a longer lifespan, making them highly efficient and requiring little maintenance. Fans, compressors, and pumps are examples of devices that use these kinds of motors.

BASIC PARTS: ELECTRIC MOTOR

  • Shaft. This uses a piece of metal that extends through and outside the frame to harness the rotational energy from the electric motor’s spinning through a mechanical connection.
  • Stator Magnets. These stay put and typically serve as the electric motor’s field magnet. They could be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. Stator magnets feature a coil, which is often formed of copper wire.
  • Commutator. This part, which is next to the stator, changes the direction in which the current flows through the device. It is one of the components that move in electric motors.
  • Armature. The electric motor assembly’s central, current-carrying element is called the armature. It interacts with the winding and field magnet to generate mechanical torque, which turns the shaft.
  • Windings. Usually, there are just straightforward wire windings around an iron magnetic core. A magnetic field is produced by these windings when a current is conducted through them.

SPECIFICATIONS: ELECTRIC MOTOR

  • When choosing a motor, there are a number of factors to consider. To choose the right kind of motor for a certain application, take into account its function and the sort of current
    it utilizes.
  • Current. The motor is powered by electricity, and too much current will harm the motor. The operating current is the normal current that a motor is anticipated to use at a given torque. 
  • Voltage is used to stop back current and keep net current moving in one direction. The torque increases with increasing voltage. You should always apply the recommended voltage. The motor won’t operate if you apply too few volts, but too many can short out windings and cause power loss or catastrophic destruction.
  • Torque needs to take operating and stall values into account as well. Stall torque is the amount of torque created when power is applied from stall speed, whereas operating torque is the amount of torque the motor was intended to provide. Although some applications will demand you to know how far you can push the motor, always pay attention to the required operating torque.
  • Velocity, also known as speed (RPM) in relation to motors, can be complicated. Although it is generally true that motors perform best at their greatest speed, this is not always practicable if gearing is needed. Adding gears will decrease the motor’s efficiency, so consider both speed and torque reduction.

CHARACTERISTICS: ELECTRIC MOTOR

  • More than two-thirds of the energy utilized in any industry is used by electric motors. Around 700 million motors of all sizes are in use worldwide, and together they consume nearly half of the electricity produced. 46 percent of the electricity used worldwide is used by electric motors.
  • Electric motors have a lot fewer moving components than a combustion engine. The average combustion engine has upwards of 200 separate moving parts, compared to an average electric motor’s 20 components. Because there are fewer moving parts, an electric motor’s components will wear out less quickly over its lifespan. The motor’s individual components last longer since there is less wear. Particularly as compared to a combustion motor, this results in increased reliability and decreased maintenance.
  • Compared to gas engines, electric motors offer more torque and a quicker response. Since they don’t emit any exhaust and are regarded as a safe and dependable source of energy, they are one of the cleanest energy sources.
  • Electric Shinkansen trains in Japan are known for their lightning-fast top speeds of 199 mph. Electric motors enable these trains to be significantly faster than conventional trains while also allowing for a much smoother deceleration. The electric engine functions as a generator when they are almost at a halt, converting motion back into power. 

Electric Motor Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Electric Motor across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Electric Motor, which is a sort of machinery that uses electromagnetic phenomena to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Electric Motor Facts
  2. Word Find
  3. True or False?
  4. Color the Motor
  5. Motor Parts
  6. Motor Twist
  7. My Electric Motor Invention
  8. Motor Match
  9. Motor Operator
  10. Ask a Motor
  11. World Without Electric Motors

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an electric motor do?

An electric motor is a device that uses electricity to create movement. This is done by using the principles of electromagnetism, which is when electricity and magnetism are combined to create a force.

What speed do electric motors run at?

The frequency of the magnetic field in the stator poles creates a magnetic field in the rotor. This rotating field follows the rate at which the stator’s changing magnetic field changes. AC motors with two poles usually run at a speed of 3600 rpm, while those with four poles usually run at a speed of 1800 rpm.

Are electric motors powerful?

Yes, for example, mining trucks with a capacity greater than 100 tonnes use electric motors because they have powerful, instant torque and can pull large loads at slow speeds.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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