Motors, Meters and Magnets

The motors (M1 and M4) convert electricity into mechanical motion.

Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and an electric current flowing in a wire has a magnetic field similar to that of a very, very tiny magnet.

Inside the motor are three coils of wire with many loops. If a large electric current flows through the loops, the magnetic effects become concentrated enough to move the coils. The motor has a magnet inside so, as the electricity moves the coils to align them with the permanent magnet, the shaft spins.

M4 spins slower than M1. M4 spins better on solar cell (more specifically B7, since it doesn't work as well on B2), while M1 spins better on battery. If a motor is in "plus", it spins clockwise, which will affect which way air is blown by a connected fan:

There are several types of fan:

1. a yellow fan (discontinued),
2. a red fan (shapes like yellow fan) (discontinued),
3. a lighter red fan,
4. a green fan with 3 blades, with the blade pitch going down to the right (discontinued),
5. a green fan with 4-blades, with the pitch going up to the right.

If a fan moves clockwise, it blows air up (except for the older version of the green fan). If it spins counter-clockwise, it blows air down (except for the older version of the green fan), and the red or yellow fan can fly off of the motor. If the green fan wobbles, you can balance it by using some tapes. Tape is enough weight to balance the fan.

The meters (M2, M5, and M6) are very important indicating and measuring devices. You’ll use them to measure the amount of current or voltage depending on the circuit configuration. Notice the meter has a “+” sign, indicating the positive terminal (+ power from the batteries). The other snap is the negative terminal (– power return to batteries). The M2 meter has a switch to change between scales, indicated as LOW and HIGH (or 10mA and 1A).

The electromagnet (M3) is a large coil of wire, which acts like a magnet when a current flows through it. Placing an iron bar inside increases the magnetic effects. Note that magnets can erase magnetic media like floppy discs.

The lighted motors with LEDs (M7 and M8) are basically motors with LEDs on the fan blade but with mini-circuits controlling them. The light, when transiting phrases on M8, is in the air, but is so fast your eyes can't see it.

M1

It is a motor. It is included in SC-100 or higher.

M1 (DC Motor)
Debut	DC motor & Switch
Class	M

M2 (Meter)
Debut	Mega Circuit
Class	M

M3 (Electromagnet)
Debut	Electromagnet Storing Energy
Class	M

M4 (Low Speed Motor)
Debut	Hand Cranking
Class	M

M5 (Meter)
Debut	Electronic Playground
Class	M

M6 (Meter)
Debut	Crank Charger
Class	M