5 Tweets 2 reads Apr 10, 2023
Speaking of cool car animations, this is an AC induction electric car motor. Electricity generates a rotating magnetic field in the stator that, through electrical induction, causes the rotor to spin. The rotor is attached to the wheel axle which turns the wheels. [1/4]
The stator generates a rotating magnetic field using a three phase system. There are three different wires, each with an alternating back-and-forth pull. The 3 wires’ currents are staggered in just the right way that the point of “pull” in the stator rotates in a smooth circle.
The stator’s rotating magnetic field spins the rotor. The idea is that the rotor can never quite catch up to where it wants to be—it’s always “chasing” the rotating field, and that chase is what powers the car. The AC induction motor was invented by Nikola Tesla.
While we’re here, here’s how a gas car’s 4-cylinder internal combustion engine works. Each of the four pistons is pushed back and forth by the same four-stroke combustion cycle. The cycles are staggered to turn the crankshaft, which powers the car.
All of these are from my post on energy, cars, and Tesla: waitbutwhy.com
Animation sources:
Induction motor: Ajit Vadakayil
AC motor animations: TD Flash Zone
Gas engine: itsokaytobesmart.com

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