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Gr 10 Activity Sheet – Science Quarter 2

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Name: ____________________________________ Grade: ____________

L earning Competency
MELC No. 11: Explain the operation of a simple electric motor and generator.

I ntroduction
Motor/generators are really one device that can run in two opposite modes. Contrary to
what folks sometimes think, that does not mean that the two modes of the motor/generator
run backward from each other (that as a motor the device turns in one direction and as a
generator, it turns the opposite direction).

The shaft always spins the same way. The "change of direction" is in the flow of
electricity. As a motor, it consumes electricity (flows in) to make mechanical power, and as
a generator, it consumes mechanical power to produce electricity (flows out).

N ote to Remember
What is a generator?

• A generator converts Mechanical Energy to Electrical Energy.

• It produces an electric current when a coil of wire is wrapped
around an iron core and rotated near a magnet.
How does a generator work?
• An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy
obtained from an external source into electrical energy as the
output.

Principle of Electromagnetic Induction in Generator

• Modern generators can be attributed to

Michael Faraday’s principle of
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION.
Faraday discovered that when a
conductor moves in a magnetic field,
electrical charges could be created and
directed to create a flow of current.

• At its most basic, an electrical generator

is nothing more than an electromagnet – Photograph of Michael Faraday by John
moving wire near a magnet to direct the Watkins on commons.wikimedia.org from
flow of electricity. It’s similar to how a pump https://tinyurl.com/MFaraday
 pushes water through a pipe.
• It is important to understand that a generator does not actually “create”
electrical energy. Instead, it uses the mechanical energy supplied to it to
force the movement of electric charges present in the wire of its windings
through an external electric circuit.
• This flow of electric charges constitutes the output electric current
supplied by the generator. This mechanism can be understood by
considering the generator to be similar to a water pump, which causes
the flow of water but does not actually create the water flowing through
it.

How water, wind, and steam make electricity through generator?

1. Water – Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to generate

electricity. A turbine converts the kinetic energy of the falling water into mechanical
energy. Then a generator converts the mechanical energy from the turbine
into electrical energy.
2. Wind - The wind turns the blades of the windmill, known as the turbine,
which, in turn, spins the shaft that turns the coil inside the magnet, known as
the generator, and it produces the electricity.

3. Fossil Fuel/Steam/Heat - Oil is burned to heat water which makes steam.

Steam moves the turbine blades that turn a shaft inside the generator. The shaft
spins the coil of wire inside a magnet in the generator that produces a current
of electricity.

What are the main components of a DC generator?

A DC generator is an electrical machine which converts mechanical

energy into direct current electricity.

1. Stator - The main function

of the stator is to provide
magnetic fields where the coil
spins. A stator includes two
magnets with opposite polarity
facing each other. These
magnets are located to fit in the
region of the rotor.
2. Rotor - A rotor in a DC
machine includes slotted iron
laminations with slots that are
stacked to shape a cylindrical
armature core. The function of
the lamination is to decrease
the loss caused due to “Eddy
Current”. Hydraulic turbine and electrical generator, cutaway
view on commons.wikemedia,org from
https://commons.wikimedia,org/wiki/File
Commutator - A commutator works like a rectifier that changes AC voltage to DC
voltage within the armature winding. It is designed with a copper segment, and each
copper segment is protected from each other with the help of mica sheets. It is
located on the shaft of the machine.

1. Brushes – The Brushes are in constant contact with the commutator and
are attached to the wires leading from the generator. The commutator spins
while the brushes remain stationary, transferring current from the
commutator.
2. Shaft – The shaft transfers mechanical energy to the generator and turns
the coil through the magnetic field. The shaft may be turned by a turbine
that operates with water, steam or air, or by other means.
Difference between the AC Generator and the DC Generator
• AC generator produces AC electrical power whereas DC
generator produces DC electrical power
• In DC generator the current flows in one direction
whereas in the AC generators current reverses
periodically.
• In DC generator split rings are used they wear out quickly in
AC generator slip rings are used, so they have high
efficiency.
• AC generators are used for small domestic
applications whereas DC generators used to power
large motors.
What are the top Uses of Generator?
• Back -Up power for your house
• Stand-by power for businesses
• Temporary power in a construction site
• Permanent power to a farm
• Helping main source of electricity to supply the total power
required
• Pop concerts, events, and exhibitions
• Caravans/Camping in remote locations Outdoor catering facilities

What is an electric motor?

Figure 1: “Electric Motor” illustrated by Richard C. Paragas

https://www.google.com/search?q=PARTS+OF+ELECTRIC+MOTOR&tbm

ELECTRIC MOTOR

 Anything that changes electricity into motion, meaning

electrical energy into mechanical energy is called an electric
motor.
 Basic Principles

 Danish physicist HANS CHRISTIAN ØRSTED began a new scientific

era when he discovered that electricity and magnetism are linked. He
showed by experiment that an electric current flowing through a wire
could move a nearby magnet.
 The discovery of ELECTROMAGNETISM set the stage for the
eventual development of our modern technology-based world.
How do Electric Motors work?

 Motors work through the principles of ELECTROMAGNETISM. If you

run electricity through a wire, it creates a magnetic field. If you coil the
wire around a rod and run electricity through the wire, it creates a
magnetic field around the rod. One end of the rod will have a north
magnetic pole and the other will have a south pole. Opposite poles
attract one another, like poles repel. When you surround that rod with
other magnets, the rod will rotate from the attractive and repulsive
forces.

What are the parts of an electric motor?

Electric motor designs can vary
quite a lot, though in general they have
three main parts: a rotor, a stator and a
commutator. These three parts use the
attractive and repulsive forces of
electromagnetism, causing the motor to
spin continually as long as it receives a
steady flow of electric current.
https://www.google.com/search?q=PARTS+OF+ELECTRIC+MOTOR&tbm

A. THE STATOR

Every electric motor has two essential parts; one stationary, and one that
rotates. The stationary part is the stator. Though configurations vary, the stator
is most often a permanent magnet or row of magnets lining the edge of the
motor casing, which is usually a round plastic drum.

B.THE ROTOR

Inserted into the stator is the rotor, usually consisting of copper wire wound into
a coil around an axle. When electric current flows through the coil, the resulting
magnetic field pushes against the field created by the stator, and makes the axle
spin

C. THE COMMUTATOR

1. BASICS – An electric motor has another important component, the commutator,

which sits at one end of the coil. It is a metal ring divided into two halves. It reverses
the electrical current in the coil each time the coil rotates half a turn. The
commutator periodically reverses the current between the rotor and the external
circuit, or the battery. This ensures that the ends of coils do not move in opposite
 directions, and ensures that the axle spins in one direction.

2. MAGNETIC POLES – BRUSHES AND TERMINALS. At one end of the motor

are the brushes and the terminals. They are at the opposite end from where the
rotor exits the motor casing. The brushes send electrical current to the
commutator and are typically made of graphite. The terminals are the locations
where the battery attaches to the motor and sends the currents to spin the
rotor.

Difference between the AC Motor and the DC Motor

• In the AC Motor, the source of power is AC mains supply whereas in DC

motor power is obtained from batteries.
• In AC motors no commutators and brushes are used whereas in DC motors
these play an important part in their operation.
• In AC motors the armature is stationary and the magnetic field rotates
whereas in DC motors it is vice versa.
• AC motors are suitable for large industrial applications whereas DC motors
are suitable for domestic application.

Comparison of Motor and Generator

A motor and generator perform opposite functions, but their fundamental

structure is the same. Their structure is a “coil mounted on an axle within a
magnetic field”. An electric motor is used to produce rotational motion from
electrical supply. In a motor, an electric current is passed through the coil. The
coil then creates a magnetic field that interacts with the already existing
magnetic field. This interaction forces the coil to rotate.
For a motor, the input energy is electrical energy and the useful output energy
is mechanical energy.
The generator is used to produce an electric current from rotational motion
(on large scale power stations a “turbine” is used to provide this rotation). In
a generator, the rotation causes the coil to rotate inside the magnetic field.
Thisinduces an alternating current in the coil.
For generator the input energy is mechanical energy and the useful output
energy is electrical energy.
In power stations, it is usually the magnet which is attached to the axel and
rotates with the coils surrounding the magnet. However, the end result is the
same.
The motor and the generator are almost similar from the construction point
of view, as both have stator and rotor.
The differences between Motor and Generator are as follows:
• The motor converts electric energy into mechanical energy, whereas,
generator does the opposite.
• Electricity is used in the motor, but the generator produces the
electricity.
• An example of motor is an electric car or bike where electric current is supplied
to the machine or device and it gets converted to mechanical motion and, as a
result, the car or bike moves.
• The example of generator is that in power stations, the turbine is used as a device
which converts mechanical energy from the force of water falling from the dam to
generate.
K nowledge Power
Activity 1: “Comparison of Electric Motor and Generator”

Compare and contrast the Electric Motor and Generator using the Venn
diagram. Choose the answers from the box below.

Similaritie
Electric Generator

Activity 2: “Motors Everywhere”

DIRECTIONS: Look around your house and you will find that it is filled with
electric motors. Here’s an interesting experiment for you to try: Walk through
your house and count all the motors you find in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom,
living room and finally the garage.

Question: In walking through your house, how many devices with electric
motors have you counted in different areas of your house?

Activity 3: “Choose Me”

DIRECTIONS: Choose the best answer from the choices in the parenthesis.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. A generator is a machine which converts Mechanical Energy into
(Chemical, Electrical).
 2. Generator (uses, produces) electricity, hence, the glowing of the
LED lights when rotation takes place.
3. The generator is used to produce an electric current from
(rotational, diagonal) motion of the CD with handle.
4. Generator works on (Michael Faraday’s, Christian Oersted’s)
Electromagnetic induction.
5. On a large scale power station like the hydroelectric power plant
(San Roque Dam) a (propeller, turbine) is used to provide the
rotation.
6. Electricity is produced in the (motor, generator).
7. Electric bike, where electric current is supplied to the machine
as a result of a movement, is an example of (motor,
generator)
8. The generator transforms mechanical into (radiant, electrical)
energy, whereas electric motor does the opposite.
9. Both motor and generator have stator and (commutator, winding
poles).
10.The motor converts electrical energy into (mechanical,
chemical) energy, whereas generator does the opposite.

S ciquiz
Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the
correct answer. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

1. What do you call an energy converting system that transforms

electrical energy into mechanical movement?
A. Electric motor C. Electric generator
B. Electric field D. Electric plasma

2. Which of the situation below shows how a basic electric motor works?
A. The energy contained in the batteries of the vehicle is transformed
into wheel rotation.
B. Electrical energy converted into blade rotation in the food processor
and cut down food.
C. Both A and B
D. None of these

3. Which is the correct sequence in the operation of generator in the

production of electricity in Hydroelectric Power Plant?
I. A turbine converts the kinetic energy of the falling water into
mechanical energy.
II. Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to
generate electricity.
III. Once an electrical current has been established, it is directed
through copper wires to power machines and devices.
IV. The generator converts the mechanical energy from the
turbine into electrical energy.
A. I, IV, II, III C. IV, I, III, II
B. II, I, IV, III D. III, II, IV, I
4. He was credited for discovering that electric currents create magnetic
fields, which was the first connection found between electricity and
magnetism.
A. James Maxwell C. Michael Faraday
B. Hans Christian Ørsted D. Alessandro Volta

5. What will happen to the coiled wire in a model of an electric motor if the
magnetic poles are repulsed and attracted?
A. The coil remains stable.
B. The coil fluctuates and converts electrical energy into chemical
energy.
C. The coil stops and changes mechanical energy into electrical
energy.
D. The coil rotates and changes electrical energy into mechanical
energy.

6. What are the three basic parts of an electric generator?

A. commutator, stator, and motor shaft
B. armature, brushes, and battery
C. stator, rotor, and commutator
D. battery, armature, and DC power supply

7. Which of these is the commutator function in the generator?

A. Acts as a rectifier that converts AC voltage to DC voltage within the
winding of the armature.
B. Diminish the energy loss caused by Eddy Current.
C. Offer magnetic fields where the coil is rotating.
D. Provides electricity to the generator

8. What do you call a device that generates electrical current when a wire
coil is wrapped around an iron core and rotated close to a magnet?
A. car B. magnet C. motor D. generator

9. Which is NOT a distinctive attribute of an electrical generator?

A. Electric generator turns mechanical energy into electric energy.
B. Electric generator turns electric power into mechanical energy.
C. It provides electricity.
D. It is based upon the electromagnetic induction theory.

10. What do you call a huge wheel (associated with generators) that
rotates when driven by water, wind, or steam?
A. Motor B. Pipe C. Turbine D. Magnet

11.Which of the following is a device that converts electrical energy into

mechanical energy?
A. electric bicycle C. rice cooker
B. microwave oven D. all of the above
12. Which of the following is the correct explanation of the electrical motor
operation?
A. Electric motor uses electricity.
B. The operation is based on the principle of electromagnetism.
C. The motor converts electric energy into mechanical energy
D. All of the above

13. What do you call a device that transforms mechanical energy into
electrical energy?
A. electric charge C. electric generator
B. electric motor D. electric current

14. Which is the correct sequence in the operation of simple motor?

I. Magnets placed near one another either attract or repel.
II. The attraction and repulsion causes the wire to jump.
III. Electric current starts to creep along wire; it creates a
magnetic field all around it.
IV. Electrical energy converted to mechanical energy.
V. Temporary magnetic field interacts with the permanent magnet
A. V, IV, II, II, I C. V, III, I, IV, III
B. III, V, I, II, IV D. III, II, IV, I, V

15. Which two forces are required to operate with generators and electric
motors?
A. electric and magnetic C. magnetic and radiant
B. electric and thermal D. magnetic and thermal
References:
Printed Materials
Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education, Learner’s Material
Unit 2
Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education Teacher’s Guide,
Unit 2
Mapa, Amelia P. et al. (2001) Physics. Cebu City, Philippines. SD Publishing,
Inc.

Electronic Sources
Photograph of Michael Faraday by John Watkins on commons.wikimedia.org
from https://tinyurl.com/MFaraday
Diesel Generator by Igiritam from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Which_Diesel_Generators_Have_Make_R
esale_
Value%3F.jpg
Schematic Diagram of a Generator from
http://www.hercules-power.com/Diesel-Generator-Philippines-How-Generators-
Work/
H.C. Ørsted by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg on commons.wikimedia.org from
https://tinyurl.com/HCOrsted