What is a DC Motor?
A direct current (DC) motor is a fairly simple electric motor that uses electricity and a magnetic field to produce torque, which turns the motor. At its most simple, a DC motor requires two magnets of opposite polarity and an electric coil, which acts as an electromagnet. The repellent and attractive electromagnetic forces of the magnets provide the torque that causes the DC motor to turn. If you’ve ever played with magnets, you know that they are polarized, with a positive and a negative side. The attraction between opposite poles and the repulsion of similar poles can easily be felt, even with relatively weak magnets. A DC motor uses these properties to convert electricity into motion. As the magnets within the DC motor attract and repel one another, the motor turns. A DC motor requires at least one electromagnet. This electromagnet switches the current flow as the motor turns, changing its polarity to keep the motor running. The other magnet or magnets can either be permanent magne
