Year 11 - Science
An electric motor
Electromagnetism
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores magnetism, including permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields, and Earth's magnetism. It covers current-induced magnetic effects, electric motors, and devices like microphones and loudspeakers, with an emphasis on models, calculations, and practical applications.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how connections in a motor enable its coil to be driven continually in one direction.
Key Notes
- Wire in a motor is insulated so that the current flows around the coil
- Connections in a motor slide over each other to prevent tangled wires
- When the coil in a motor kit is horizontal it is connected and a force acts on the sides 90 deg. to the magnetic field
- Every half–turn, the coil connections in a motor kit swap over and change the direction of current through the coil
- Each side of a coil in a motor kit at 90º to the magnetic field is pushed alternatively up then down every half turn
Vocabulary To Learn
- electrical insulator: is a material that does not conduct electric current
- motor coil: a coil of insulated wire that spins inside an electric motor when a current flows through it
- axle: a rod at the centre of wheels and gears around which they turn
- yoke: in a motor kit, a U–shaped piece of iron that holds two magnets in place to create a uniform magnetic field
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils find it challenging to think about how current flows through the connections and around the coil in the motor.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Wire in a motor is insulated so that the current flows around the coil. Connections in a motor slide over each other to prevent tangled wires.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'electrical insulator'
is a material that does not conduct electric current. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils find it challenging to think about how current flows through the connections and around the coil in the motor. Correction: Take pupils step–by–step through the building of a motor from a motor kit and provide an opportunity for pupils to build their own working motor to help them to consolidate their understanding.
More Lessons In This Unit
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