1001 Space Earth Nature History Human World Science and Technology Chemistry Materials Force and Energy Heat and Light Electricity and Magnetism Industry Machines Electronics and Computers Cars and Trucks Railways Ships Aircraft Fishing and Agriculture Undersea Exploration

Choose a Page:Why does a compass needle point north?What is a magnetic field?What is an electric current?How does an electromagnet work?How does an electric bell work?How are items electroplated?How can you make an electric current?What is static electricity?How is solar power used?What is lightning?What has been the most important e...Who built the first electrical gen...*How does an electric motor work?* How does an electric motor work? When an electric current flows along a piece of wire in a magnetic field, the wire moves. In a simple motor, the wire is in the form of a coil placed between the poles of a magnet. The ends of the coil are attached to a pair of split rings called a commutator. Current is fed to the commutator through a pair of carbon brushes. When the wires move in the magnetic field, the coil rotates. A simple electric motor is a coil of wire inside a magnet.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: Science and Technology Chapter: Electricity and Magnetism