Question
(c) The d.c. motor is another way to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy.
In the space below, draw a labelled diagram of a d.c. motor,
(d) Describe how the split-ring commutator on an electric motor works.
Answer
Diagram:
A DC motor consists of a stator, an armature, a commutator, brushes, and an axle. The stator is a stationary part of the motor that houses the field magnets. The armature is a rotating part of the motor that is connected to the axle. The commutator is a split-ring device that is connected to the armature and is responsible for reversing the current direction in the armature coils. The brushes are two pieces of metal that make contact with the commutator and provide the electrical current to the armature.
The split-ring commutator works by reversing the direction of the current in the armature coils as the armature rotates. As the armature rotates, the brushes make contact with different segments of the commutator, which reverses the current direction in the armature coils. This reversal of current direction causes the armature to rotate in one direction.