Homemade Electric Motor With 1.5V Battery: Learn the Principles of Electromagnetism

Have you ever imagined building a real electric motor using just a battery, copper wire, magnets, and a few simple materials? In this project, you will learn how to create a working DC motor that spins using the principles of electromagnetism. Watch the short video below to see the motor in action, then follow the step-by-step instructions to build your own and discover the science behind one of the most important inventions in modern technology.

Materials

Before starting, gather the following materials. Most of them are inexpensive and easy to find at home, in electronics stores, or in educational laboratories.

1. 1 AA battery (1.5 V)
2. Enamel-coated copper wire (magnet wire)
3. 2 electrical wires or metal paper clips
4. 1 neodymium magnet or strong permanent magnet
5. Wooden base
6. Electrical tape or hot glue
7. Sandpaper or a cutter (to remove the enamel from the wire)
8. Small screws or nails (optional)

Tools

1. Pliers
2. Wire cutter
3. Ruler
4. Hot glue gun (optional)

he copper coil is the moving part of the motor. When electric current flows through it, a magnetic field is created that interacts with the magnet and produces rotational motion.

Materials for this step:

1. 22 AWG enamel-coated copper wire (recommended) or 18 AWG wire.
2. A bottle cap or any cylindrical object.
3. Sandpaper or a utility knife.

Recommendations:

1. 22 AWG wire is recommended because it is lightweight and easy to bend.
2. 18 AWG wire also works, but its greater weight may require a stronger magnet.
3. Use a cap or cylindrical object with a circumference between 40 mm and 60 mm.
4. Make between 4 and 6 complete turns. Six turns are recommended for better performance and easier rotation.

Procedure:

1. Wrap the wire around the bottle cap or cylindrical object.
2. Make 4 to 6 turns while keeping the loops aligned.
3. Leave approximately 3 to 4 cm of straight wire on each side.
4. Carefully remove the coil from the mold.
5. Wrap the free ends around the coil to keep its shape.
6. Sand the enamel from the wire ends. Remove the enamel completely from one end and only from the upper half of the other end to create the commutator effect.

Tip: A balanced and symmetrical coil will help the motor rotate more smoothly and efficiently.

In this step, you will install the supports that hold the coil and allow it to rotate freely. These supports also conduct electrical current from the battery to the coil.

Materials:

1. 2 wood screws
2. 2 pieces of stiff wire or metal paper clips
3. Wooden base
4. Screwdriver
5. Pliers

Procedure:

1. Mark two points on the wooden base slightly wider than the coil.
2. Insert the screws into the wood, leaving part of them exposed.
3. Bend the wires or paper clips into small U-shaped supports.
4. Secure the supports under the screws so they remain firmly in place.
5. Place the coil on the supports and make sure it can rotate freely without touching the base.
6. Adjust the height or spacing of the supports if necessary.

Tip: Keep both supports at the same height to reduce vibration and ensure smooth rotation.

Now it is time to place the coil on the supports and position the magnet underneath it. The correct magnet position is essential for the motor to operate properly.

Materials:

1. Copper coil
2. Installed wire supports
3. Neodymium or permanent magnet

Procedure:

1. Carefully place the ends of the coil onto the metal supports.
2. Make sure the coil can rotate freely without touching the wooden base.
3. Position the magnet directly below the center of the coil.
4. Leave a small gap between the magnet and the coil to prevent contact during rotation.
5. Adjust the magnet position until the magnetic field interacts efficiently with the coil.
6. Give the coil a gentle push to verify that it spins freely.

Tip: The closer the magnet is to the coil, without touching it, the stronger the magnetic interaction and the better the motor performance.

It is now time to bring your electric motor to life! Connect the battery to the metal supports to allow current to flow through the coil.

Procedure:

1. Connect the positive (+) terminal of the battery to one metal support.
2. Connect the negative (–) terminal to the other support.
3. Make sure all connections are secure and that the coil can rotate freely.
4. Observe whether the coil starts moving.

In some cases, the motor may require a gentle push with your finger to start spinning. This is completely normal for simple electric motors, as it helps the coil reach the proper position to begin continuous rotation.

Important: If the motor does not spin, check that the enamel has been removed correctly from the wire ends and that the magnet is properly aligned beneath the coil.

Tip: Once the coil starts rotating, you will see how electrical energy is converted into mechanical motion, demonstrating the basic principle of electric motors.

STEAM Connection

1. Science: electromagnetism and magnetic fields.
2. Technology: converting electrical energy into motion.
3. Engineering: designing and building the motor.
4. Arts: creativity in the design and presentation.
5. Mathematics: measurements, coil turns, and circuit analysis.