DC Motor
- Lenz’s law states that induced current opposes the changing magnetic field that created it.
- The current going backwards (back EMF) conserves energy.
- As work needs to be done produce current against the back emf.
- Opposes motion of motors (otherwise this would produce free energy)
Back EMF ensures that constant energy needs to be provided to do work in a DC motor.

- Magnetic field is applied to a portion of the metal disks
- Due to changing flux in different areas of rotating disks , eddy currents develop as shown in the picture.
- The eddy currents prevent rotation of the disk to reduce changing magnetic flux of the metal disk areas.
- Thus unless external force is applied, the disks stop rotating.
Extract from Physics Stage 6 Syllabus © 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)