Homeschool Science Curriculum – My First Motor

Many people dream about understanding how motors work. However, they’re not as difficult to understand as they may seem – especially if they use this simple project that suits just about any homeschool science curriculum. Whether you’re learning about electricity, magnetic fields, physics, or more, this project is the perfect hands-on experiment for your homeschool science curriculum.

To get started, you’ll need a few materials:
    •    1 meter of 22 or 24-gauge solid-core insulated wire
    •    2 disk magnets
    •    2 test cables with a clip on each end. They should also be insulated.
    •    1 plastic cup
    •    2 large rubber bands
    •    2 2-inch paper clips
    •    1 D-cell battery
    •    Wire strippers
    •    Waterproof pen

Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to get started. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
    •    Starting about 3 inches from the end of the insulated wire, wrap one end around the D battery seven times. You should form a coil. The battery will help to get the right size for the coil, but you will remove the coil from the battery. You will want to wrap the ends of the wire around it a few times to hold the coil in place.
    •    Strip the insulation from the wire on the two ends of the coil with the wire strippers.
    •    Take the two large paper clips and straighten them part-way, leaving one hook.
    •    Place a magnet on the bottom of the plastic up in the center.
    •    Please another magnet in the inside of the plastic cup directly underneath the outside magnet. You’ll notice that this creates a strong magnetic field.
    •    Put the two rubber bands around the cup at the base. Be sure that the plastic cup is turned over.
By the way, if you’re having fun with this project and are looking for other projects to include in your homeschool science curriculum, you might want to download a free copy of the Homeschool Science Experiment Guide and workbook to find more great experiments

    •    Place the straightened paper clips into the rubber bands on either side of the cup. They should stand above the cup.
    •    Place the stripped ends of the coiled wire into the paper clips. The paper clips should hold the wire in place.
    •    You’ll notice that the coil will spin on the paper clips. Make sure that you balance the coil ends so that they can spin freely within the paper clip cradle. If you need to, you can trim off excess wire.
    •    Attach the clip cables to the paper clips near the rubber bands.
    •    Using the D battery, hold the opposing ends of the clips against the battery. You’ll notice that if the coil is balanced well, it will rotate until it is nearly horizontal. This is because the coil produces an electric current that aligns with the magnets.
    •    The coil may not rotate when the coil is aligned with the magnets. However, if you coat the bare wire, you may be able to keep the coil rotating.
    •    To coat the bare wire, remove the coil from the device. Holding it vertically, paint the top half of the coil with a permanent marker – but only paint one of the two wires. Let the ink dry, then apply a second coat.
    •    Hang the coil again, after the ink has dried.
    •    Connect the coil to the battery. You’ll notice that it begins to spin again. You may have to make a few adjustments to make the battery spin, such as adjustments with the paperclips.

Believe it or not, you have just made your first motor. Isn’t this a cool addition to your homeschool science curriculum? Many motors work through electro-magnetic energy. Can you think of how this type of motor may be applied to devices in your life? What devices already use electric motors? How does your motor compare? Be sure to take detailed notes and spend some time exploring how different adjustments impact your motor – and why.