You wonder, how do you create electrical energy from mechanical energy? Build a simple generator that will light up a lightbulb when spun.

But first, let's look at what are electrical generators and how they work.

An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy from another source into electrical energy
A generator does not 'create' energy, but transforms it.
A generator is simply a motor working in reverse.
Essentially, when you apply motion energy to a generator, the copper coil within the magnet rotates repeatedly, creating a magnetic field.
When you move an electric wire inside a magnetic field, you allow electricity to flow through the wire, generating electricity.

Supplies

Materials Needed:

Step 1: Part #1

Glue the two CDs together while using the black gear. (Remember, the gear's purpose is to create space between the CDs, and be able to spin it easily.)
Use a piece of cardboard to hold the CDs and be able to spin them.
Use a toothpick, craft sticks, or a bamboo skewer, and put it through the hole created between the CDs and the gear.
This way, you would be able to spin it, and light up the LED.

With the use of tape, put the DC generator on the cardboard to hold it.
Put the rubber band between the two CDs and connected it to the gear of the DC generator.

Use sandpaper or the edge of a knife to scrape the thin plastic coating off 2cm of the wire ends. Remove every bit of red coating.
Twist each wire of the bulb to one end of the coil.
Don't let them touch together or the bulb won't light up.
Turn the nail really fast and watch the bulb light up.