Electric Motor Experiment Lab Report

Abstract

The goal of this experiment is to build a simple electric motor and observe its operation. The independent variable is the battery charge (1.5 V), and the dependent variable is the speed at which the motor spins. It is hypothesized that there will be a positive correlation between voltage and motor speed, with higher voltage resulting in a faster spin.

Introduction

Electric motors are essential devices used in various applications, from powering household appliances to driving industrial machinery. Understanding the principles behind electric motors is crucial for comprehending electromagnetism and its practical applications.

The objective of this experiment is to construct a basic electric motor and investigate its functionality. The independent variable in this experiment is the battery charge, set at a constant 1.5 volts. The dependent variable is the speed at which the motor spins. It is anticipated that increasing the voltage will lead to a faster rotation of the motor.

Materials and Methods

The materials used in this experiment include:

• Magnet wire
• Magnet
• Two paper clips
• 1.5 V battery
• Two push pins
• Jumper cables
• Small pliers
• Support base (e.g., an old textbook)
• Sandpaper

The procedure for constructing the electric motor is as follows:

1. Curl the magnet wire around the battery to form a coil, leaving tails at each end.
2. Use sandpaper to remove the clear coating from the ends of the magnet wire.
3. Bend the paper clips to create supports for the magnet wire tails, referred to as "armature arms."
4. Fasten the paperclip stands to the support base using push pins.
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5. Place the magnet directly under the coil.
6. Attach jumper cables to each end of the battery holder, with the other ends connected to the armature arm supports.
7. Give the motor an initial spin to test its functionality.

Results

The results of the experiment indicated that the motor did not perform as expected. Instead of spinning consistently upon connecting the battery, it required a tap to initiate motion. Even then, it spun for only a brief period before stopping. Additionally, attempts to make the motor spin in reverse were unsuccessful.

Sources of Error

Several sources of error may have contributed to the unexpected results:

• Inconsistent wrapping of the wire around the battery, leading to uneven coil formation.
• The battery may not have been fully charged, affecting its ability to provide sufficient power to the motor.
• The experiment may have been conducted on an unstable surface, impacting the motor's stability.
• Issues related to the positioning of the magnet could have interfered with the motor's performance.

Discussion

The experiment's results deviated from the expected outcome, as the motor did not spin consistently when connected to the 1.5 V battery. The need to tap the motor to initiate motion suggests that additional factors or issues hindered its operation. While the experiment supported the hypothesis that the battery would cause the motor to spin, the observed behavior did not align with conventional expectations.

One potential source of error was the inconsistent wrapping of the wire around the battery, leading to an uneven coil shape. This could have disrupted the motor's balance and hindered its ability to spin smoothly. Additionally, if the battery used in the experiment was not fully charged, it might not have provided sufficient power to sustain continuous motor rotation.

The stability of the experiment setup could also have affected the motor's performance. Conducting the experiment on an unstable surface may have introduced vibrations or disturbances that interfered with the motor's operation.

Furthermore, the positioning of the magnet, a critical component in the motor's operation, might not have been optimized for efficiency. The magnet's alignment and strength play a crucial role in the motor's ability to generate motion, and any misalignment could impede its performance.

Overall, while the experiment did demonstrate the basic concept of an electric motor, additional refinements and adjustments to the setup may be necessary to achieve consistent and expected results. The observed issues highlight the importance of precision and attention to detail when constructing and conducting experiments involving electrical components.

Conclusion

The experiment aimed to construct a simple electric motor and investigate its functionality in response to a 1.5 V battery charge. While the experiment supported the hypothesis that the battery would cause the motor to spin, the observed behavior did not meet conventional expectations. The motor required a tap to initiate motion and spun for only a brief duration.

Several sources of error may have contributed to these unexpected results, including inconsistent wire wrapping, a potentially undercharged battery, an unstable experimental setup, and issues related to magnet positioning. These factors may have collectively hindered the motor's ability to spin consistently.

To improve the experiment's outcomes, further refinements and adjustments to the setup are recommended. Ensuring precise wire wrapping, using a fully charged battery, stabilizing the experimental platform, and optimizing magnet alignment could enhance the motor's performance and provide more consistent results.

Recommendations

Based on the observations and results of this experiment, the following recommendations are suggested:

1. Ensure precise and uniform wire wrapping around the battery to create a balanced coil.
2. Use a fully charged battery to provide adequate power to the motor.
3. Conduct the experiment on a stable and vibration-free surface to minimize external disturbances.
4. Optimize the alignment and strength of the magnet to enhance the motor's performance.
5. Consider conducting the experiment multiple times with different battery voltages to explore the relationship between voltage and motor speed more comprehensively.