New
New
Lesson 5 of 16
  • Year 10

Motors

I can explain the function of different motors and use them as output components in a control system.

Lesson 5 of 16
New
New
  • Year 10

Motors

I can explain the function of different motors and use them as output components in a control system.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Motors can be used to create movement in a control system.
  2. A current carrying wire in a uniform magnetic field is forced to move, we use this movement to make motors.
  3. DC motors are most suitable for applications where continuous rotation is needed.
  4. Servo motors control position, speed, and torque. They are suitable for applications where precision is required.

Keywords

  • Direct current - the electric current flows in one direction only

  • Torque - a force that makes something rotate

  • Servo motor - a motor that uses a closed-loop system to ensure accurate and precise control of their position, speed, and torque

  • Uniform magnetic field - a magnetic field that has the same strength everywhere with evenly spaced field lines

Common misconception

All motors operate in the same way.

DC motors use open-loop systems, and servo motors use a closed-loop system.


To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Motors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Borrow a DC motor from science to help with the explanation of opertion. Download and test the exemplar program before the lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Access to Tinkercad.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the types of force to the definition.

Correct Answer:torque,a rotating force

a rotating force

Correct Answer:tension,a stretching force

a stretching force

Correct Answer:compression,a squashing force

a squashing force

Q2.
Identify the input components.

buzzer
LED
Correct answer: photoresistor
Correct answer: switch
resistor

Q3.
A current limiting is used to protect some electrical components.

Correct Answer: resistor, resistors

Q4.
Control system outputs can be , movement or sound.

Correct Answer: visual

Q5.
Identify the output components.

Correct answer: buzzer
battery
resistor
Correct answer: LED
switch

Q6.
What can be used to help plan a control system?

Correct Answer: flowcharts, a flowchart, flow chart, flow charts

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Direct current allows electric current to flow in one only.

Correct Answer: direction

Q2.
Which of these show a uniform magnetic field between the motor magnets?

An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q3.
DC motors are most suitable for applications where continuous rotation is needed such as ...

Correct answer: electric vehicles.
robotic arms.
Correct answer: fans.
springs.
remote control systems.

Q4.
A servo motor uses a closed-loop system to ensure accurate and precise control of ...

temperature.
current.
Correct answer: position.
Correct answer: speed.
Correct answer: torque.