Simple ELECTRIC MOTOR

Objectives:
 Build a simple electric motor and to modify it for greater speed.
 Explain the operation of a simple electric motor.

Materials:
 1 m length of #26 (or thinner) magnetic wire • 0.5 m copper wire
 1 1.5 V dry cell • cardboard/plywood (base)
 1 or 2 small disk magnet/s • 1 switch
 2 safety pins • other tools/materials

Procedure:
1. Wrap the magnetic wire around the battery/disk magnet to make a coil (or you can make other
symmetrical shape) leaving 3 cm of straight wire at each end.
2. Remove the coil from the battery and tie it with a tape to keep it in a loop. Use a coin or the blade
of scissors to remove/scrape the coating on the top side only of the straight ends of the
magnetic wire.
3. Assemble the safety pins as holder of the coil on both ends. Put the disk magnet under the coil
and mount it. (The magnet should be close to the coil, but the coil needs to rotate without
hitting the magnet).
4. Connect the coil with the dry cell and switch using the extra copper wire. Make sure that each
part stays in place.
5. Give the coil a small spin then turn on the circuit. The loop should spin. Make fine adjustments
until the motor works easily and spins quickly on its own.