Motor (Part)

The motor (M4) converts electricity into mechanical motion. An electric current through the motor will turn the shaft. It can also be used as a generator, since it produces an electric current when the shaft is turned. How does electricity turn the shaft in the motor? The answer is magnetism. Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and an electric current flowing in a wire has a magnetic field similar to that of a very, very tiny magnet. Inside the motor is a coil of wire with many loops. If a large electric current flows through the loops, the magnetic effects become concentrated enough to move the coil. The motor has a magnet inside, so as the electricity moves the coil to align it with the permanent magnet, the shaft spins. When used as a generator, wind or water turns the shaft. A coil of wire is on the shaft, and as it spins past the permanent magnet an electric current is created in the wire.