Activity 2.2 – Electric Motor “How stuff works” WebQuest                                                                           

Purpose

What would life be like if we had to go back to using horses and wagons for transportation instead of our automobiles? A trip to Europe or Hawaii would be impossible. When you look around your house, almost everything that has a moving part is driven by a motor. Motors are all around you. Can you imagine what your life would be like without motors?

Motors are a very important part of our society. They are devices that convert energy into other forms. They can be run by steam or human effort, as you have observed in the recent demonstrations. They range from very small to very large. All motors require energy input.

In this activity, you will research the electric motor and the parts that make it up. This information will be used in your next assignment.

Equipment

·   Computer with internet access

Procedure

1.      Go to www.howstuffworks.com.

2.      Input the key words ELECTRIC MOTOR, and then select a document to find the definitions and explanations of the terms below.

3.      Fill in the systems model diagrams below as you listen to the motor/generator lesson.

Conclusion

1.      Compare and contrast motors and generators. Explain how they are similar or different.