Paper Clip Motor
In this video I demonstrate what is possibly the simplest electric motor. Built using two paper clips, an AA battery and a magnet plus a few other supplies (see below.) While not very powerful, it does demonstrate that we can use electricity to create rotation - the basic concept of all electric motors.
Supplies needed:
2 x paper clips
1 AA, R6 or UM-3 Battery
about 1m of enamelled copper wire ⌀0.4mm
1 x magnet (⌀15 x 8mm)
vinyl insulation tape
small piece sand/glass paper
white board marker
How to make the paper clip motor:
1. Bend the paper clips to create two pivot points for the coil.
2. Create the coil by wrapping the enamelled wire around the battery (we found ten times worked well but feel free to experiment) remove the battery and wrap the loose ends two or three times around the coil to kep it together.
3. Using the sandpaper remove about 3cm of the insulation at either end.
4. Tape the paper clips to the battery using the vinyl insulation tape.
5. At one end of the, now exposed, copper wire use a marker pen to coat one half wire to insulate it as it turns (it doesn't need to be perfect!)
6. Place the magnet on the battery.
7. Place the coil assembly in the paper clips and voila!
You may need to make some adjustments to get it spinning perfectly!
#paperclips #paperclips
(Note: This video was originally posted on my eigonohondana YouTube channel on 7 Aug 2013, it's now hosted here to keep things simple.)