You will need:
3+ ft magnet wire (looks like copper wire, except it has an enamel coating; you can find it at the hardware store)
1 battery (AA, C or D cell batteries provide the same voltage, but a larger battery will last longer)
2 large metal paperclips
electrical wire, optional
magnet
tape, rubber bands, foam, cardboard, sandpaper, scissors (these materials are not specific, you can use whatever you have and works for the set up you create)
1) Coil your wire: Wrap your wire into a small loop (we made ours about 1” in diameter). Use one end of the wire to wrap around the coil and hold it in place. Leave about 2” of the ends of the wire sticking out of the coil on each end, pointing directly out from the loop in opposite directions
2) Remove the enamel: For the two ends of wire that should now be sticking out straight from the loop, we want them to have enamel on the top, but not on the bottom (It doesn’t matter which you call top or bottom, just pick one and make sure the wires sticking out have enamel on the same side only). Scrape the enamel off the bottom of the wire sticking out on each end using sandpaper or the sharp blade of a scissors, ONLY on one side – make sure it’s the same on both wires that are sticking out. See picture
3) Create the paperclip stands: Open and straighten the outer bend of each paperclip
3) Assemble the circuit and stand: You are going to create a circuit from the battery to the paperclips. You can do so by placing the straight end of a paperclip directly on each end of the battery (held in place with rubber bands or tape) or you can place the paperclips into a piece of foam or cardboard for support and run wires from each paperclip to each terminal (end) of the battery.
4) Place the coil and magnet: Place the wire coil between the two paperclips, balancing on the straight wires sticking out from the coil. Bring a magnet as close to the coil as possible without touching it. Give the coil a little spin and it should begin spinning continuously. See video link at top.
Be patient! Experiments don’t always work on the first try. If your motor isn’t spinning, we recommend checking:
- is the enamel completely removed, on one side of the wire only?
- are the connections to the battery secure?
- is the magnet close enough?
We’re always happy to answer questions about experiments. Email us at info@nogginbuilders.com
