P4.2.2 - Motors

Question 1

How can you get a coil of wire to spin?

Answer 1

Placing the coil of wire in a magnetic field

The coil would rotate but turn back the other way as soon as it passes the vertical position

Question 2

How does an electric motor work?

Answer 2

A coil of wire spins in a magnetic field inducing a potential difference.
A split ring commutator is also used

Question 3

What is a split ring commutator?

Answer 3

A way of keeping the current moving in on the right and out on the left all the time

Question 4

How can you change the speed of a motor?

Answer 4

By changing:
The magnitude of the current in the wire 
The strength of the magnetic field
The number of coils of wire
The length of the coil