Simple Electric Motor
How to Make a Simple Electric Motor
Energy comes in many forms. Electric energy can be converted into useful work, or mechanical energy, by machines called electric motors. Electric motors work due to electromagnetic interactions: the interaction ofcurrent (the flow of electrons) and a magnetic field.
Problem
Find out how to make a simple electric motor.
Materials Needed
D battery
Insulated 22G wire
2 large-eyed, long, metal sewing needles (the eyes must be large enough to fit the wire through)
Modeling clay
Electrical tape
Hobby knife
Small circular magnet
Thin marker
Procedure
1. Starting in the center of the wire, wrap the wire tightly and neatly around the marker 30 times.
2. Slide the coil you made off of the marker.
3. Wrap each loose end of the wire around the coil a few times to hold it together, then point the wires away from the loop, as shown:
4.
5. What is this? What is its purpose?
4. Ask an adult to use the hobby knife to help you remove the top-half of the wire insulation on each free end of the coil. The exposed wire should be facing the same direction on both sides. Why do you think half of the wire needs to remain insulated?
6.
5. Thread each loose end of the wire coil through the large eye of a needle. Try to keep the coil as straight as possible without bending the wire ends.
7.
6. Lay the D battery sideways on a flat surface.
7. Stick some modeling clay on either side of the battery so it does not roll away.
8. Take 2 small balls of modeling clay and cover the sharp ends of the needle.
9. Place the needles upright next to the terminals of each battery so that the side of each needle touches one terminal of the battery.
8.
10. Use electrical tape to secure the needles to the ends of the battery. Your coil should be hanging above the battery.
11. Tape the small magnet to the side of the battery so that it is centered underneath the coil.
9.
12. Give your coil a spin. What happens? What happens when you
Energy comes in many forms. Electric energy can be converted into useful work, or mechanical energy, by machines called electric motors. Electric motors work due to electromagnetic interactions: the interaction ofcurrent (the flow of electrons) and a magnetic field.
Problem
Find out how to make a simple electric motor.
Materials Needed
D battery
Insulated 22G wire
2 large-eyed, long, metal sewing needles (the eyes must be large enough to fit the wire through)
Modeling clay
Electrical tape
Hobby knife
Small circular magnet
Thin marker
Procedure
1. Starting in the center of the wire, wrap the wire tightly and neatly around the marker 30 times.
2. Slide the coil you made off of the marker.
3. Wrap each loose end of the wire around the coil a few times to hold it together, then point the wires away from the loop, as shown:
4.
5. What is this? What is its purpose?
4. Ask an adult to use the hobby knife to help you remove the top-half of the wire insulation on each free end of the coil. The exposed wire should be facing the same direction on both sides. Why do you think half of the wire needs to remain insulated?
6.
5. Thread each loose end of the wire coil through the large eye of a needle. Try to keep the coil as straight as possible without bending the wire ends.
7.
6. Lay the D battery sideways on a flat surface.
7. Stick some modeling clay on either side of the battery so it does not roll away.
8. Take 2 small balls of modeling clay and cover the sharp ends of the needle.
9. Place the needles upright next to the terminals of each battery so that the side of each needle touches one terminal of the battery.
8.
10. Use electrical tape to secure the needles to the ends of the battery. Your coil should be hanging above the battery.
11. Tape the small magnet to the side of the battery so that it is centered underneath the coil.
9.
12. Give your coil a spin. What happens? What happens when you