The Sci Guys: Science at Home - SE3 - EP8: Simplest Electric Motor - Homopolar Motor

Welcome to science at home episode eighth, season three. In this episode we will be building the simplest electric motor. The simplest electric motor is also known as a homopolar motor. The simplest electric motor works by harnessing a force known as Lorentz force when an electron passes through the magnetic field the be base of our motor. This motor is homopolar because its polarity is constant as it functions. By the end of this video you will be able to describe what a Lorentz force is, how it is able to spin the copper wire of our motor and how to build the simplest electric motor also known as a homopolar motor.
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Equipment and Ingredients:
AA Battery
14 to 18 Gauge Copper Wire
Multiple Rare Earth Magnets
Needle Nose Plyers
Gloves
Lab Coat or Apron
Goggles
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[@HarshRajAlwaysfree]

U guys are underrated

[@TheExpert8204]

bending the wire is actually the trickiest part which you should show more excplicitly. If the bending is not 100 per cent right, it either does not work (because the wire doesnt touch the battery enough or has resistance and stops) or the wire falls off once it starts spinning or after a few seconds. I spent hours until I found the right bend

[@vcreates4136]

So cool

[@thoughtware23]

Really nice video guys, I will definitely be using it in my classes.
Just a small thing but the battery isn't the source of electrons, they are already present in the copper wire.

[@TheSciGuys]

thoughtware23 Yes Copper has electrons, I mean everything has electrons but the electrons that power this experiment come from the battery otherwise this experiment would work with just a magnet and copper wire.

[@farkhandahassan993]

@@TheSciGuysabsolutely

[@JohnLaShell]

Can I use one more powerful magnet instead of several weaker ones. More specifically, would an N42 magnet with 6.44 lbs of pull work as well as 3 or 4 N35 magnets from the hardware store?

[@francobortot9621]

Brilliant explanation! I was wondering whether the motor would still work if between the battery and the magnet a cylindrical conductive block is placed, and the copper wire slides onto it (rather than on the side of the magnet, as in the video), therefore not having any current throughout the magnets. Not sure it would work anyways, anybody a clearer idea? Thanks!

[@farkhandahassan993]

The motor works with Lorentz forces. To generate the force electrons must have to flow through magnetic field. If wires touch the conducive surface but not the magnet you can’t obtain the type of circuit you need to experiment. In short wire will not spin.

[@upalisenanayake9884]

Mmmmmmm goooood

[@carlkohweihao9584]

You said that the Lorentz force is responsible for the spinning of the wire. If it is the force that causes the wire to spin, then the wire accelerates. When does the motor stop accelerating?

[@farkhandahassan993]

When there is no electron flow , means that , when battery die or the circuit is not close.

[@gracieful2020]

Can you use ceramic magnets for this experiment?

[@TheSciGuys]

+gracieful2020 They might work as long as they are as conductive as rare earth ones.

[@gracieful2020]

+The Sci Guys thanks! We haven't been successful with them, so we are going to try the neodymium magnets.

[@theobserver314]

@@gracieful2020
Did it work?

[@nixcution4935]

They already did

[@zaidenespe1826]

Would a watch battery work for a battery as well? Thanks!

[@azazel444]

Can you do a video on making a electro magnet

[@TheSciGuys]

Jose Aguayo We have done one :) th-cam.com/video/xVKIiCYTsmQ/w-d-xo.html

[@meetle9863]

Will it spin forever?

[@SillySciencewithSimon]

It stops spinning when the battery runs out 😊

[@diylivcat5132]

I know I'm late but can I keep failing and I don't know why

[@josemiranda6616]

O

[@alchemy1]

But do you know why this thing works the way it does?
If you do.. being "the science guy", let me know and I will ask you the real questions. Otherwise no worries.

[@evelynreneefarmer9774]

We couldn’t get ours to work

[@D3hv5860]

no