Description
Interactive three.js simulation with an orbitable 3D camera demonstrating a direct-current (DC) electric motor: a coil with N rectangular turns rotates under magnetic forces in a uniform magnetic field, with a commutator, Faraday-law induction, and graphs of angle, frequency, current, magnetic flux, and kinetic energy over time.
Physical model
The torque on the coil depends on the product of the current, magnetic field, and sine of the angle between the coil's magnetic moment and the field. This is why the commutator is essential: without it, the torque would reverse sign every half turn and the motor would merely oscillate instead of rotating continuously.
Developers
Marco P. M. de Souza