In a motor, what does the term 'slip' refer to?

The term 'slip' in a motor specifically refers to the difference between the synchronous speed of the magnetic field and the actual speed of the rotor. Synchronous speed is defined as the speed at which the magnetic field rotates in AC motors, while the rotor speed is the actual speed of the rotor itself. Slip is a crucial concept because it indicates how much slower the rotor is turning compared to the magnetic field, which is necessary for the induction process in motors.

A certain amount of slip is essential for induction motors to generate torque. If the rotor were to reach synchronous speed, there would be no relative motion between the magnetic field and the rotor, resulting in zero induced current and thus no torque. In summary, understanding slip is critical for evaluating the performance and efficiency of induction motors.