Type Ticketed
Duration 30 mins
# Deliveries 4

Participants are able to create their own homopolar motor which runs with magnets and a AA battery.
A homopolar motor works by electrical current flowing from positive to negative terminals and into the magnet. The current then flows from the centre of the magnet to the edge where contact is made with the copper wire. This then flows through the wire and back into the positive terminal on the battery completing the circuit.

5 mins - talk about how a homopolar motor works and demonstrate to participants.
25 mins - create the project using the following steps:

1. Cut a long piece of copper wire and lay it on the printed template. Using the pliers bend the wire to match the template.
2. To create the base section of wire that wraps around the magnets bend the end of the wire around the battery. Remove the battery and gently widen the circular wire with your fingers.
3. Please three neodymium magnets on the negative side of the battery.
4. Place the motor on top of the battery so that it touches the positive pole. The round section at the bottom of the motor must be low enough to encircle the magnets.
5. Let it go. If properly constructed it should start to spin.
6. to make a skirt for your dancer cut a small circle of crepe then cut a slit in the center of the circle. Slide it up onto the dancer and secure in place with glue.

• Copper Wire
• 1/2“ x 1/8” Neodynmium Disc Magnets
• AA Battery
• Crepe Paper - To Decorate Dancer
• Template
• Glue

• Wire Cutters
• Pliers

Web Resources
https://babbledabbledo.com/steam-project-tiny-dancers-homopolar-motor/
http://blog.first4magnets.com/what-is-a-homopolar-motor-and-how-does-one-work/
https://frugalfun4boys.com/build-simple-electric-motor/

Created by Isaac Pay on 2018/10/30 12:55.

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