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

Keywords

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 misconception

Pupils find it challenging to think about how current flows through the connections and around the coil in the motor.

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.

It is helpful to have one or two working examples of motors that have been built from a motor kit, which pupils can refer to whilst building their own motors. It is also helpful to have just two or three power packs set up ready for testing motors, to act as a focal point for snag checking.

Teacher tip

Equipment

Commercially available motor kits that can be used to construct electric motors, together with a 3 V power pack, connection leads and crocodile clips.

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

A material that allows an electric current to flow is called an electrical conductor. A material that does not allow an electric current to flow is called an electrical .

Correct Answer: insulator

Q2.

The diagram shows a magnetic field between two magnets. The north–seeking and south–seeking poles are shown but the arrows are missing from the field lines. Which way should the arrows point?

Correct answer: from left to right

from right to left

towards both magnets

towards the middle

Q3.

A magnetic field with equally spaced field lines is described as .

even

constant

steady

Correct answer: uniform

linear

Q4.

Which of the following statements describes the motor effect?

A current appears in a wire that is moving in an electric field.

A current appears in a wire that is moving in a magnetic field.

A magnetic field appears around a current–carrying wire.

A current–carrying wire in an electric field experiences a force.

Correct answer: A current–carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force.

Q5.

When using Fleming’s rule to predict the direction of the force, current or magnetic field in the motor effect, which of the following are correct?

Correct answer: Only the left hand gives the correct result.

The first finger points in the direction of the force.

Correct answer: The second finger points in the direction of the current.

Correct answer: The thumb, first finger and second fingers are at right angles to each other.

Q6.

The diagram shows a current–carrying wire in a uniform magnetic field. Black arrows show magnetic field direction and a grey arrow shows current direction. In which direction is the force on the wire?

upwards

Correct answer: downwards

to the right

to the left

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match each part of a motor with its description.

Correct Answer:axle,a rod about which the coil turns

a rod about which the coil turns

Correct Answer:coil,insulated wire wound into many turns; rotates when the motor runs

insulated wire wound into many turns; rotates when the motor runs

Correct Answer:yoke,a U–shaped piece of iron that holds two magnets in place

a U–shaped piece of iron that holds two magnets in place

Q2.

The diagram shows a simple electric motor from one end, with some of its parts labelled with the letters A to D. Match each letter with the name of the part.

Correct Answer:A,yoke

yoke

Correct Answer:B,coil

coil

Correct Answer:C,wire contact

wire contact

Correct Answer:D,axle

axle

Q3.

Which of the following explains why the coil of a motor turns when it is connected to a suitable power supply?

The coil is made of a magnetic material which is repelled by the magnets.

The coil is made of a magnetic material which is attracted by the magnets.

The magnetic field exerts a force on the axle which makes it spin.

Correct answer: The magnetic field exerts a force on the coil because it carries a current.

Q4.

A pupil tries to make an electric motor. They join the wire contacts onto the ends of the coil. Why does the motor not work correctly when a battery is connected to the other ends of the contacts?

No current flows in the coil.

Correct answer: Wires tangle when the coil spins.

No magnetic forces act on the coil.

There is no electrical contact between the coil and the battery.

Q5.

The diagram shows a motor that is powered by a battery. When the coil is in the vertical position shown, there is no electrical contact between the coil and the battery. What happens next, and why?

The coil stops turning because no force is acting on it.

The coil falls back to horizontal because gravity acts on it.

Correct answer: The coil keeps turning because hardly any force is acting on it.

The coil keeps turning because the magnetic field still exerts a force on it.

Q6.

A pupil makes a simple electric motor. When they connect it to a suitable power supply, the coil does not spin. Which of the following are possible reasons why?

The coil is made from insulated wire.

The ends of the wire contacts are not insulated.

Correct answer: The magnets have their north poles facing each other.

Correct answer: The rod through the centre of the core is not insulated.