What is an electric motor?
What is an electric motor?
An electric motor is a device that changes electrical energy into mechanical energy, or motion.
What is an electric generator?
A device that creates alternating current when an electric coil spins between the poles of a magnet.
What is alternating current?
Alternating current is a current that flows in one direction and then and another. It continuously switches directions.
How does a simple electric motor work?
A simple electric motor works when electric current runs through a wire loop, making a magnetic field.
How does a simple generator work?
A simple generator works by mechanical energy turning the wire loop between two magnetic poles. The magnetic field produces an electric current in the wire. While the wire is being pushed to the magnetic poles, electric charges are pushed to the wire. An electric current is made by the moving electrical charges.
What is direct current?
Direct current is a current that always flows in only one direction.
How might an electric train use the spinning motion produced by the motor?
An electric train might use the spinning motion produced by the motor to spin the wheels.
What do simple generators and simple electric motors have in common?
Simple generators and simple electric motors have wire loops, magnets, and shafts.
What is the difference between alternating current and direct current?
The difference between alternating current and direct current is that direct current flows in only one direction while alternating current flows in a direction and then in the opposite.
What devices have you used today that used direct current or alternating current?