Lab 6: Electrical Motors

Objective: To build, understand and analyze an

electric motor
1. Background: Magnetic Field Produced by a Solenoid
It is known that magnetism is caused by the motion of electrons. Electric
currents, the flow of charged particles, are sources of magnetic fields.
With solenoids, loops of conductive wire, it is possible to generate an
electromagnet, which behaves similarly to a permanent magnet made of
Iron. In the diagram below, a current, I, flows through the solenoid. The
magnetic field produces at the central axis of the solenoid can be
estimated with:
B=o

N
I
L

where N is the number of turns, L is the length of the solenoid and

the permeability of free space (1.2566 X 10

-10

is

N/A ).

In this lab, you will use a solenoid to create the prototype of a simple
motor. The magnetic field from a permanent magnet will interact with that
of a solenoid to produce a torque on the solenoid and initiate its rotation.

2. Preliminary Questions:
a. A solenoid is 15.0 cm long and has 250 turns. What is the magnetic field
strength inside the solenoid if the current in the coils is 3.8 A?
b. A solenoid is to be wound on a cardboard form 30.0 cm long. How many turns
of wire are needed to produce a magnetic field of 6.28 x 10-3 T, if the maximum
allowable current is 5.0 A?
c. A solenoid 40.0 cm long has a magnetic field of 5.0 x 10-3 T when the current
in it is 10.0 A. How many turns of wire does it have?
d. What magnetic field is needed to exert a force of 1.0 x 10-15 N on an electron
travelling 2.0 x 107 m/s?

2. Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Copper wire
Two needles
One foam support
Universal stand and clamps
Vernier Magnetic Field sensor
LabQuest
Lap top with Logger Pro
Small permanent magnet
Sand paper

3. Procedure
1. Making the solenoid:
a. Roll the copper wire around the permanent magnet (use the
magnet as a template to assemble the solenoid). Make five
turns. Take the permanent magnet out.
b. Use the extra wire on both extremes to make two or three
turns to hold the turns of the solenoid together (see figure
below).

c. Cut the wires at the extremes so they are no more than 2 cm

in length on both sides.
2. Assembling:
a. Stick the needles on the foam support separated by no more
than 4 cm.
b. Rub each end of the solenoid with the sand paper to make
sure they have good electrical contact.
c. Stick each end of the solenoid to the holes of each needle so
the solenoid is suspended between the two needles.
3. Measuring the magnetic field and current
a. Connect the power supply to the LabQuest interface and the
interface to your computer. Open the power amplifier control
window and set it up to DC.

b. Connect the power amplifier, the current probe and the

needles as shown on the diagram on the board.
c. Turn on the power amplifier. Zero the current probe when the
voltage in the power amplifier is set to 0 V.
d. Apply a voltage of no more than 3 V. Check if you have current
in the circuit (should be no more than 0.6 A).
e. Record the current in the table.
f. Calculate the magnetic field in the solenoid with the formula
given in the background section. Record this value in the
table. The Length of the coil can be estimated with: L = # of
turns X thickness of the wire (assume the thickness of the wire
is 200 m)
g. Connect the magnetic field sensor to your LabQuest.
CAUTION: Do not bring the field sensor to a close
distance with the permanent magnet. Make sure they
are at least separated by 30 cm.
h. Hold the sensor using the clamp and the universal stand. Zero
the sensor when it is away from the coil.
i. Bring the sensor close (a few millimeters) to the solenoid and
record in the table the value of the magnetic field. Make sure
that the circular area of the sensor is parallel to the circular
area of the solenoid
4. Running the motor
a. Disconnect the current probe and connect the power amplifier
to the two needles.
b. Apply a voltage between 4-8 V.
c. Bring the permanent magnet close to the solenoid and
observe what happens.
d. Find an optimum position for the permanent magnet in order
to make the solenoid rotate for the longest time. If you find a
position in which the solenoid turns without stopping, it is
even better.
e. Record a video of the motor running
4. Results
Current (A)

Mag. Field
(Calculated)

Mag. Field
(Measured)

5. Analysis:
1. Is the magnetic field measured in agreement with the calculated
magnetic field?

2. Explain step by step why the solenoid keeps turning. Use diagrams.
In your explanation, include the forces and concepts that are
involved.
3. Investigate and explain another type of electrical motor. Use
diagrams and mention the forces and concepts involved.
4. The magnetic field sensor works due to the Hall Effect? Investigate
and explain what the Hall Effect is.