Basis of DC Motor Action

Magnetic Field Tippler

Field of a Permanent Magnet
North to south outside the magnet; south to north inside the magnet
N
S
Field of an Electromagnet
is similar to that of a permanent magnet
N S
N
S
Oersted Experiment Tippler
Compass on Top of the Wire
shows approximate direction of field as the result of current flowing in
the wire
Compass on Bottom of Wire
for current flowing in the same direction as before
Field Around a Current Tippler
Field Around Current-Carrying Wire
schematically showing the direction of the field around the wire for
current flowing in the direction shown in the wire
Right Hand Rule
From http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/electricity/generators/
Electromagnet and One Loop
shows that the field inside the loop is always in the same direction
N S
Three-Dimension Demonstration
Opposite Poles Attract
so if the center magnet is can rotate around its midpoint, it will tend to
line up with the two fixed magnets
N S
N
S
N
S
N
Momentum Causes Overshoot
so the direction of rotation will be reversed by the magnetic attraction
N S
N
S
N
S
N
N
S
N S
N S N
S
And finally stops
N S
N S
N
S
N
S
N
N S
N S N
S
N S N S
Opposite Poles Attract
so the center electromagnet rotates
N
S
N S
N S
N
If the direction of the current changes just as the
electromagnet passes the fixed magnets, like
poles repel causing the electromagnet to continue
rotating.
N S
N S
N S
N S
N
S S
N
S
Rotation Continues
N S
N S
N S
N S
N
S
N
S
N S N S
The direction of the current can be changed if the ends of the wires
brush along the fixed + and contacts as the electromagnet rotates.
+
_
brushes
rotates
stationary
Go to motor applet
http://www.walter-
fendt.delph11e/electricmotor.htm