DC Motor & Switch

Project Number: 2

Parts Needed For Circuit: B1, M1, Fan Blade, 3, S1, 2, 2, 2, 2

OBJECTIVE: To show how electricity is used to run a Direct Current (DC) Motor.

Description: Build the circuit shown on the left by placing all the parts with a black 1 next to them on the base grid first. Then assemble parts marked with a 2. When you close the slide switch (S1), current flows from the batteries (B1) through the motor (M1) making it rotate. Place the fan blade on the motor shaft and close the slide switch. The motor will rotate forcing the fan blade to move air past the motor. In this project, you changed electrical power into mechanical power. DC motors are used in all the battery equipment requiring rotary motion, such as a cordless drill, electric toothbrush, and toy trains that run on batteries just to name a few. An electric motor is much easier to control than gas or diesel engines.