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Magnetic Field

video Magnetic Field

This very simple electric motor is called a homopolar motor because the magnetic field does not change direction or strength. With only three parts, it is probably the simplest motor you can possibly make.

30 comments

Mar 3, 2012. 11:56 PMpradipta03 says:

Cool indeed.

Apr 5, 2011. 1:45 AMfpermata says:

it was cool, awesome, marvelous, i want to try it

Sep 21, 2009. 9:41 AMpowerfool says:

Hi, it's really nice! But can you give us any tips on how to bend the wire like the shapes you have made, without getting very frustated?

Aug 17, 2010. 8:07 PMrfriedman28 says:

You can use needle nose pliers. Sometimes called, Jewelry pliers. They can make small, sharp curls and designs.

May 31, 2010. 5:01 PMarriero4x4 says:

great Idea., I doit it with my kids :)

Apr 9, 2010. 1:02 PMkarimm795 says:

can i use a paper clip ?

Dec 23, 2009. 8:27 AMalvin9861 says:

I found that if you put small dent in top of battery, it keeps the wire in place so doesn't fall off. Use a small nail or something with a with a point. Don't hit to hard or it will punch a hole in battery.

Jun 1, 2009. 1:15 PMpyroal says:

Where did you get the idea to make this. Its pretty cool. Do you have any other magnet tricks.

May 19, 2009. 3:01 PMDon,t try this at home says:

can you use a hanger

May 20, 2009. 6:54 PMFireCrazyAlchemist says:

Yes just make sure you scrape off all the coating on it

Aug 9, 2008. 2:02 PMtimmy1234s says:

Im speechless(in a good way) By the way, where would you get the stiff copper wire and sculpt it?

May 17, 2009. 8:01 PM

ReCreate says:

You can Sometimes Find it in Transformers,One is Long,And One is short,and Stiff. You could also Try CAT5,It has copper wire.

May 16, 2009. 9:43 PMdfred93 says:

with thease do you have to change the battery much...im trying to make one with cds and batteries that spins with magnetic power

Mar 5, 2009. 8:26 PMknight life says:

Please tell me How to see the video , I can not open it , it is just gray .

Apr 19, 2009. 4:14 PMMoeMonkey says:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1058665/magnetic_field/

Feb 10, 2009. 12:52 PMPyroMaster007 says:

so as long as the wire touches both ends it works?

Feb 4, 2009. 6:50 PMMr.NHRA says:

Does it drain the batt or just utilize the electrical feild?

Jan 11, 2009. 4:21 PMItsTheHobbs says:

Nice thats a really neat one.

Dec 26, 2008. 9:18 PMvon rad says:

Nicely done!

Dec 21, 2008. 11:54 AMdimmu1313 says:

In case anyone is interested, the reason this works is because, first, the permanent magnet is made of electrically conductive material. If you notice, the bottom of the copper "rotor" is touching the magnet, which is also the negative electrical terminal. Since current is flowing through the wire a magnetic field is setup around the wire. This new magnetic field, due to its overall shape (based on the shape of the wire) allows for an attraction and/or opposition force (in the case of the "rectangular" rotor, it is both forces, which is why it has the highest acceleration) to move the wire.

Dec 21, 2008. 7:33 AMkemog says:

THANK YOU man !!!

Dec 16, 2008. 6:11 PMMigacz says:

I tried this, it did not work. Does the wire need to be de- insulated or do I need a better magnet? The magnet is round so I don't know why it isn't working.

Aug 15, 2008. 11:06 PMAznPanda says:

Kool last one could become a fan! =D a mini fan

May 9, 2008. 11:30 PMleebryuk says:

That was a fun presentation. Simple and to the point. No muttering explanations either. The minimalism was appropriate. Good job!