How to Create a Homopolar Motor at Home

I will show you how to create a simple homopolar electric motor here. It's really easy to do, and you will not need any professional material or stuff to do that at home. Today, I will design a simple one, you can also create your own homopolar motor with some creative design.

Step 1: Materials You Will Need

1. A piece of copper wire (or Aluminum wire). I will be using copper wire here. The wire should be longer than 15cm or 6’’ (which is 3 to 4 times the length of an AA battery). The diameter should be larger than 0.4mm and smaller than 1 mm. (as you can see here)

2. Several small neodymium disc magnets (which should have a Diameter less than 1cm, magnetized through thickness). I will use 5 small neodymium disc magnets obtainable from Stanford Magnets.

3. A new AA battery.

Step 2: Shape the Copper Wire

Bend the copper wire into an oval shape, Create a smooth contact on both ends of the copper wire.

Step 3: Assemble the Homopolar Motor

Attach the Positive end of the battery to the magnets. Put the Copper wire on the Battery and the magnet; make sure the wire is connected to both the negative end of the battery and surface of the magnets.

Step 4: Safety Precaution

1. Never let any children touch the magnets you use in the experiment.

2. Never use any magnets weighing more than more than 1 oz for risk of pinching hand or crushing the battery or magnet.

3. Disconnect the connection of the copper wire to magnets and battery if the motor doesn't rotate for risk to burning the battery.