Is this possible

[Stene]

Check this
http://www.metacafe.com/w/358960/

or this
http://www.metacafe.com/w/971400/

 

[x_25]

It is a Homopolar motor, and yes they do work but are rather useless. See the Wikipedia artical. There is also another type of motor that works by running lots of amps through two ball bearings causing them to spin. Again, see the Wikipedia artical.

 

[Stene]

Motor

It is a Homopolar motor, and yes they do work but are rather useless. See the Wikipedia artical. There is also another type of motor that works by running lots of amps through two ball bearings causing them to spin. Again, see the Wikipedia artical.

Hm, interesting. I had to try but didn't get it to work. :tears: Anyone ?

 

[mwr885]

Everything on the internet is true right?

 

[LBPete]

Hm, interesting. I had to try but didn't get it to work. :tears: Anyone ?

Keep trying. The guy in the video had to screw with it several times before he got it to work.

The magnet he used looks like it is very smooth, almost like it is chrome plated. That will decrease friction. I'm also guessing it is a powerful "rare earth" type magnet. It must also make electrical contact with the battery and the wire. To keep friction losses at a minimum, the contact between the wire and the battery must be as light as possible while still making electrical contact.

The wire is pretty much a direct short across the battery so the battery will not last long. I suppose you could kill it while trying to set everything up. Use two batteries, one for set up and adjustment then switch over to a fresh one.

- Pete