Question:
If you have an electric motor on a bench and hook it to the power the shaft turns. If you put the shaft in a vise the casing of the motor will turn.
Now:...put this motor in free space no gravity and attach a battery for power..when the power is turned on will the motor shaft turn? will the casing turn? What happens??? thanks
When the electric motor is in free space with no gravity and a battery is attached for power, several factors come into play that determine whether the shaft or the casing of the motor will turn, and what happens next. Let's break it down step by step:
1. Motor Shaft:
The rotation of the motor shaft is controlled by the interaction of two magnetic fields: the magnetic field produced by the electric current flowing through the motor windings, and the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets or electromagnets within the motor. When these magnetic fields interact, they create a torque that causes the motor shaft to rotate.
In free space, without any external resistive forces, such as gravity or friction, the motor shaft will tend to rotate due to the torque generated by the interaction of the magnetic fields. This means that when the power is turned on, the motor shaft will likely start rotating.
2. Motor Casing:
The rotation of the motor casing, or the outer frame of the motor, depends on the conservation of angular momentum. Angular momentum is the property of a rotating object that determines its resistance to change in rotational motion.
If the motor shaft starts rotating, the casing will initially remain stationary due to the conservation of angular momentum. However, if there is any slight friction or non-ideal conditions present, the casing may eventually start to rotate in the opposite direction to counteract the angular momentum of the rotating shaft. This can happen due to small internal forces, such as imbalances or fluctuations within the motor.
3. Other Factors:
In addition to the above factors, it's important to consider the design and construction of the motor, as well as the specifications of the battery used. These factors can influence the starting torque, efficiency, and overall performance of the motor.
It's also worth noting that without gravity, the motor may be more susceptible to spinning uncontrollably due to gyroscopic effects. Moreover, the absence of an external resistive force may result in the motor reaching very high speeds if not properly controlled, potentially causing damage or failure.
Overall, in free space with no gravity, when the power is turned on, the motor shaft is likely to start rotating due to the interaction of magnetic fields. Whether the casing will turn or not depends on various factors such as conservation of angular momentum and internal conditions within the motor.