Step 6: How it Works.
As you add charge to the unconnected end of the machine, it is transferred to the piece of foil nearest to you, giving it the same charge as the balloons. Like charges repel, so the foil is pushed away from the wire. This turns the rotor.
When the rotor turns, it brings the next piece of foil to collect charge, and also moves the first piece towards the earth connection to discharge. The whole process repeats for as long as you supply charge to the motor. The only real limiters to the speed are balance - wobbly rotors will turn more slowly - and friction. The top speed of your motor will be controlled by friction on the balance point (so make it small and slippery, but don't use grease, try graphite) and by air friction on the cup (so try not to have too many wrinkles or loose edges).
When the rotor turns, it brings the next piece of foil to collect charge, and also moves the first piece towards the earth connection to discharge. The whole process repeats for as long as you supply charge to the motor. The only real limiters to the speed are balance - wobbly rotors will turn more slowly - and friction. The top speed of your motor will be controlled by friction on the balance point (so make it small and slippery, but don't use grease, try graphite) and by air friction on the cup (so try not to have too many wrinkles or loose edges).
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1
azuro
says:
Jan 30, 2010. 7:41 AMReply
Neat work I must say.
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to Jan 30, 2010. 12:00 PMReplyThank you.
2
skatepark13
says:
Jan 31, 2009. 4:04 PMReply
thanks for the help very neat
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to Feb 1, 2009. 12:42 PMReplyYou're welcome.
octavian234
in reply to Dec 20, 2009. 1:05 PMReply
Kiteman is awesome!
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to Dec 20, 2009. 2:03 PMReplyThank you!
impedance214
says:
Oct 2, 2009. 1:53 AMReply
what is the purpose of the other wire which is the earth connection??
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to Oct 2, 2009. 10:43 AMReplyTo allow the charge that has built up on the rotor to be carried away (to earth!).
kalikot
says:
May 19, 2007. 1:18 AMReply
it'll be better if you have the video to show that this actually spin :)
Woo Doo Doo
in reply to Oct 6, 2007. 4:48 PMReply
he did first page
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to Oct 7, 2007. 4:18 AMReplyWhen Kalikot posted this comment. I hadn't added a video (see my reply dated May 19)
164
Kiteman (author)
in reply to May 19, 2007. 2:31 PMReplyI knew there was something I forgot! I couldn't get it to upload when I first posted the Instructable, and I didn't have a YouTube account. Now, I do.
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