Torques on Coils: Magnetic Fields & Forces

Spinning Coil over Magnet (a.k.a. World's Simplest Motor)
PIRA Class: 5H50.45

Purpose
To demonstrate the force on a current carrying wire within a magnetic field.

Description
Small coil of wire, connected to a C-cell battery, spins above a magnet.
- Make sure coil's side wires are straight and along the coil's axis of symmetry.
- Give coil a "kick start" to overcome friction.
- If coil will not continue to rotate, check all connections for any corrosion. If necessary: scrap off any corrosion on coil's side wires. [One of the side wires has its topside's varnish coating scrapped off, while the other has its "bottom-side" scrapped off. In this manner we have simulated alternating current, so that the force on the bottom half of the coil does not change direction (as coil spins).]

Equipment
World's Simplest Motor