Everything You Wanted To Know About Electric Motors But Were Afraid To Ask

Lesson Focus - Electric Motors: their principles and everyday uses.

Lesson Synopsis - Students learn the basic principles of electric motors and explore everyday uses. They build a working model of an electric motor for classroom use, using inexpensive kit.

Age Levels - 10-14.

Objectives
Learn basic principles of electric motors.
Apply theory to everyday uses of electric motors.
Build a working model of an electric motor for classroom use.

Anticipated Learner Outcomes - As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:
Principles of electric motors
Principles of magnetism
Principles of electric currents
Students should also apply theory to everyday uses of electric motors, and expand their knowledge of motor design and operation.

Electric Motors: Introduction (full teacher resource documents are included in PDF)

The following are basic educational principles of electric motors:
Magnets both attract and repel each other. Like poles repel, opposite poles attract.
An electric current produces a magnetic field. The strength and direction of the
magnetic field varies according to the strength and direction of the electric current.
Simply winding a wire that carries an electric current around an iron bar creates a
magnet that can be switched on and off. Also, the strength and direction of the
magnetic poles can easily be controlled by changing the strength and direction of the
electric current.

Resources/Materials
Teacher Resource Documents (included in PDF)
Inexpensive toy electric motor kit, available from Science First (description (included
in PDF)
Resources not included in kit: sandpaper, cellophane tape, scissors or wire cutting
pliers, batteries, small screwdriver

Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.

Internet Connections
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program
IEEE Virtual Museum
International Technology Education Association Standards for Technological Literacy
McREL Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks - a compilation of content
standards for K-12 curriculum in both searchable and browsable formats.
National Science Education Standards
Science First (Supplier of Toy Motor Kit)

Recommended Reading
The Usborne Book of Batteries & Magnets (ISBN: 074602083X)
DK Eyewitness Series: Electricity (ISBN: 0751361321)
Janice VanCleave's Physics for Every Kid : 101 Easy Experiments in Motion, Heat,
Light, Machines, and Sound (ISBN: 0471525057)

References
Ralph D. Painter, Douglas Gorham, and other volunteers from
Florida West Coast USA Section of IEEE
URL: http://ewh.ieee.org/r3/floridawc