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Simplest Electric Motor

video Simplest Electric Motor

Build your own ultra-simple electric motor with only a battery, magnet, safety pins and a bit of wire. Takes only a minutes to build, but will keep you mesmerized for hours. Cool science project. Impress your friends.

29 comments

Aug 25, 2009. 5:45 PMbushkiwi says:

Hey thanks loads for this!! It's just the kind of thing I'm looking for, for my ten yr old home schooled son : ) Many thanks for sharing!

May 21, 2012. 7:57 PMtetohodges says:

same here, great demo for kids

Apr 26, 2010. 11:36 AMgreymatter21 says:

where could i get 1 of those magnets from?

Jan 20, 2011. 1:05 AMjhei says:

(removed by author or community request)

May 2, 2011. 11:37 AMgreymatter21 says:

whats a "harddisk"?

Aug 6, 2011. 4:47 PMDaniel Deacon says:

A 'Hard Disk' is a component from a computer it stores data. it consists of an electro magnet coil an arm and at least 1 platter which is a metal plate. this is done by useing magnets.

Sep 30, 2010. 3:44 AMmyiq says:

tnx,,,,,

Mar 1, 2010. 11:45 AMm5industriesinc says:

what song is playing in the background

Dec 13, 2009. 9:48 AMuber man says:

Would a penny with copper wire attached work?

Apr 2, 2009. 9:46 PMkamathln says:

You forgot to mention one requirement : Gravity :-)

Jul 9, 2009. 7:27 AMsqueakyneb says:

Why do you need gravity?? Just to keep it on the contact points?

May 25, 2009. 5:31 AMPyro Fiend says:

I don't know about you, but I'm not planning on going where there's no gravity any time soon. ;-)

Jul 9, 2009. 7:59 AMkamathln says:

Guys! I was just pulling the leg for fun! Thats all.

Jul 10, 2009. 2:43 AMPyro Fiend says:

eh, mate, don't worry 'bout it. i was kittin' too.

Jul 9, 2009. 7:27 AMsqueakyneb says:

I'm with you.

Apr 24, 2009. 10:26 PMhaydes says:

the video is getting so annoying because it dosen't load fully it keeps on stopping and starting i wish he just had some flipping instructions

May 25, 2009. 5:30 AMPyro Fiend says:

I tink it's your computer, sorry mate. It didn't do that for me.

May 25, 2009. 5:29 AMPyro Fiend says:

THAT'S COOL DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mar 10, 2009. 9:42 PMabdul nishad says:

thanks for giving such an opportunity

Jan 29, 2009. 2:42 AMnetbuddy says:

Any photos or stills from the video? I am no a connection that can not view streaming video, not because of the lack of bandwidth but the fact that the service I have is so crap, most I get os about 108kbps average on a service they sell as T1 over 3G/HSDPA connections. So some stills would be nice to see.

Nov 8, 2008. 8:20 PMNetReaper says:

Awesome! ill try this with solar cells :)

Jul 29, 2008. 5:46 PMcintadepapel says:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOdboRYf1hM
I think this is the simplest one.

Feb 29, 2008. 6:48 PMkeefurxxcore says:

What type of wire did you use? Would that green craft wire stuff work too? Because yours is copper, and I think the craft wire is something like aluminum, or zinc.

Jun 7, 2008. 9:41 PMtiki700 says:

i know you commented a long time ago but in case your still wondering and didnt try it out, aluminum should work. not sure about zinc though as long as the metal conducts electricity.

Jun 7, 2008. 10:38 PMkeefurxxcore says:

ok, thanks, il try

May 29, 2008. 4:57 AMBubbler says:

Is there a desired amount of winds you need to make? It is a great project, thanks a lot.

Apr 2, 2008. 6:07 PMbudsiskos says:

ca it be any type of magnet?

Mar 28, 2008. 6:06 PMcraftthefuture says:

I love this. It's easy. Anyone could make this. You could make this into a desktop fan perhaps! And use a rechargeable battery. I have some scrap copper wire in the house from some renos. Would that work?

Feb 23, 2008. 5:46 PMiOsasu says:

THANKS SO MUCH. I need a science proect and this is perfect. GOD BLESS YOU!