Magnetism: The Motor Effect

The Motor Effect

The motor effect refers to the phenomena that a motor experiences a force when an electric current carries it through a magnetic field.
It is caused by the interaction between the magnetic field and the electric current.
The size of the force that acts on the conductor is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field and the amount of current flowing through the conductor.
The direction of the force is at right angles to the direction of the current and the magnetic field.
The direction of the force can be determined using Fleming’s left-hand rule. The thumb represents the motion (force), the first finger represents the field, and the second finger represents the current.

Electric motors use the motor effect to spin a coil of wire inside the magnetic field.
An electric motor works by causing a coil of wire to spin inside a magnetic field. The coil, also called an armature, is an electromagnet.
When the current flows through the coil, the force on each side of the coil causes it to spin.
The direction of motion of the coil can be reversed by either reversing the current or the magnetic field.
In order to ensure that the coil continues to spin in the same direction, electric motors are fitted with a split-ring commutator, which allows the current to change direction every half turn.

The motor effect is put into practical use in a variety of electrical appliances we use in everyday life such as washing machines, fans, and mixers.
It is also used in industries to operate tools and machinery, and in transport systems like electric cars, metros and trams.
Electric generators work based on the motor effect. But unlike motors, which convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Electric generators involve a coil of wire spinning within a magnetic field, causing a voltage to be induced across the ends of the wire, generating electricity.