Updated February 20, 2006

Something low tech and fun for you today... motor building! Many teachers do this activity with students of all ages, because it's downright fun! I use it in physics during the introduction to electromagnetic induction;

All it takes is a little wire, some D-cells and some permanent magnets. The trick is getting the magnet and coil oriented correctly, and then carefully sanding only one half of the insulation the ends of the wire in order to make a commutator;

Try giving students different cells and materials - you'll be suprized at how they improvise interesting applications of the basic principles.. check out the QuickTime movie below (826k). So make some motors today - it's great low-tech fun!