I know young people are often looking to do something creative with their day. Especially with summer upon us, we still have the desire to have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. A fun activity to fill that void can be building simple motors. An activity that is fun for not just young people, but also adults.
Building simple motors requires materials that are found in your home, making it not only fun, but accessible. Simple motors display invisible forces and allow for an inquisitive thought the be developed and nurtured for young people in these long summer days. Simple motors are evidence of magnetic and electric forces. A phenomenon that we observe daily but do not often discover the relationship between the two.
Concepts explored in building simple motors are not just magnetism and electricity. But the depth within that, such as positive and negative, and how opposites attract. Or the idea that when a current is running the circuit will be hot, which is evidence that a reaction has occurred. The exploration and development of these ideas is helpful for to develop cognitive thinking skills, and building an inquisitive nature.
Materials:
.05 mm copper wire
Large Paper Clips
Sandpaper
D Battery
Neodymium Magnets
Electrical Tape / Duct Tape
Directions:
- Cut enough wire to create 7-10 loops
- With your pinky wrap the loop around your finger, leave about 1-2 inches of wire on each end of the loop
- Wrap around the loop and tie knots on both ends of the loop
- Use the sand paper and sand about a 1/2 inch of each end of the wire. On one end sand only the top half of the wire, on the other end of the wire sand the end completely.
- Create a loop in the paper clip, you will create a loop on the bottom portion and on the top portion of the paper clip
- With electrical tape, tape one paper clip on each side of the battery . Place the loose ends of the wire through the loops that were created
- Place the magnets under the loops
- Give the loop a push and watch your coil spin
Troubleshoot ideas:
- If the loop is not turning, try pressing the clips down harder onto the batter with your hands.
- Sand the ends of the wire more, and make sure the sanded portion is in the loop
- Place another magnet under the coil to create a greater magnetic force
Coil Loops
Paper Clip Loops
Sanding the Wires
Taping the Paper Clips
Final Simple Motor
Chemistry With Brandy 
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