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e-Journal

Motors at Work (p. 361)


Step 1. Questions

Electric motors are everywhere. They are used in all kinds of devices. Even gadgets that you use every day have electric motors!

Write a personal narrative that tells how an electric motor helped you solve a problem. For your narrative, you will need to research electric motors and how they are used. Here are some questions to guide you:
  • What is an electric motor?
  • How do electric motors work?
  • What are some household appliances that use electric motors?
  • How can electric motors help you to solve a problem?
Are you ready? Begin by visiting the Web sites listed in Step 2. Look for answers to the questions above. Write about what you learn in the note-taking boxes.

You may use search engines to find other Web sites. Or research electric motors at the library. When you are ready, follow Steps 3 and 4 to write your personal narrative.

Step 2. Research

Look for answers to the questions in Step 1. Visit these Web sites for information, and take notes in the boxes.


Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn what to do if you get an error message.


Socket to Me! How Electricity Came to Be
Electric motors affect the way we work, play, and learn. Here you will explore their history. You can find out more about Thomas Davenport and other early inventors. A society of engineers created this site as a virtual museum. There is even an animation that shows how magnets make a motor work!
Take Notes:



How Electric Motors Work
Look for the yellow box titled "Motors Everywhere!" Then, scroll down the list of common household items that use electric motors. Look for devices that you have used. Did any of those devices help you solve a problem? You can click on the name of each device for more information about how it works.
Take Notes:



Technology at Home
This activity lets you go back through the century to find out when electric motors first appeared in homes. Click on the different devices. Think about how your life would be different if you didn't have them in your home. This site is from A Science Odyssey by PBS Online.
Take Notes:



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