Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Junior Cycle · Junior Cycle Engineering

Junior Cycle Engineering: Motors, servos & solenoids

How often Motors, servos & solenoids comes up on the Engineering papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

CL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Motors, servos & solenoids, Common Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Motors, servos & solenoids.

(a)What makes a servo motor different from an ordinary DC motor?
  1. It spins freely at one fixed speed only
  2. It turns to an exact angle and holds it
  3. It pushes a plunger in a straight line
(b)What is a solenoid?
  1. A sensor that detects light levels
  2. A motor that turns to an exact angle
  3. A coil that moves a plunger in and out
(c)How can the direction of a small DC motor be reversed?
  1. Swap its positive and negative leads
  2. Connect an LED in parallel with it
  3. Add a bigger resistor in series with it
Show the answers

(a) It turns to an exact angle and holds it

(b) A coil that moves a plunger in and out

(c) Swap its positive and negative leads

Your turn: Common Level questions on Motors, servos & solenoids.

Common Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q2b
2025Q1d, Q2c
2024Not asked
2023Q4e
2022Q1d

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Motors, servos & solenoids questions

Motors, servos & solenoids, 3 marks

Why is a gearbox often fitted to a small DC motor?

  1. Higher speed and more turning force
  2. It changes the DC supply into AC
  3. Slower speed but more turning force
Show the answer

Slower speed but more turning force

Small motors spin very fast with little turning force (torque). A reduction gearbox slows the output shaft and multiplies the force, so it can drive wheels or lift a load.

Motors, servos & solenoids, 2 marks

An electric motor changes electrical energy mainly into which form?

  1. Light and sound energy only
  2. Kinetic (movement) energy
  3. Chemical (stored) energy
Show the answer

Kinetic (movement) energy

A motor uses the magnetic effect of a current to spin its shaft, turning electrical energy into kinetic energy. A generator, like the one in a wind turbine, does the reverse.

Other Engineering topics

All of Junior Cycle Engineering