How does a homopolar motor work?

The homopolar motor is driven by the Lorentz force. A conductor with a current flowing through it when placed in a magnetic field which is perpendicular to the current feels a force in the direction perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the current. This force provides a torque around the axis of rotation.

What are homopolar motors and how do they work?

A homopolar motor is one of the simplest motors built due to the fact that it uses direct current to power the motor in one direction. The magnet’s magnetic field pushes up towards the battery and the current that flows from the battery travels perpendicularly from the magnetic field.

What is a homopolar motor used for?

A homopolar motor is a device that converts a magnetic field and a direct electrical current (DC) into motion.

What is the advantage of homopolar motor?

As a new type of motor, the homopolar motor has not been widely known yet. Due to its advantages such as simple structure, high-strength rotor, and low iron loss in high-speed rotation, it is especially suitable for energy storage flywheel.

What is the principle of operation of a homopolar motor?

Principle of operation. Like most electro-mechanical machines, a homopolar motor is reversible: if the conductor is turned mechanically, then it will operate as a homopolar generator, producing a direct current voltage between the two terminals of the conductor. The direct current produced is an effect of the homopolar nature of the design.

What can a homopolar generator be used for?

Homopolar generators (HPGs) were extensively researched in the late 20th century as low voltage but very high current DC power supplies and have achieved some success powering experimental railguns . A homopolar motor is very easy to build.

How does the Lorentz force affect a homopolar motor?

The homopolar motor is driven by the Lorentz force. A conductor with a current flowing through it when placed in a magnetic field which is perpendicular to the current feels a force in the direction perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the current. This force provides a torque around the axis of rotation.

What does the name homopolar mean in physics?

The name homopolar indicates that the electrical polarity of the conductor and the magnetic field poles do not change (i.e., that it does not require commutation).