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How to Build a Magnetic Engine

A magnetic engine, or motor, is anything that creates movement through the force of an applied magnetic field. All electric motors, satellite ion drives and even feather dusters operate on this principle. Whenever electrons move, as they do in wires, they create a magnetic field. This magnetic field has a north and south pole just as a permanent magnetic does, therefore the trick is to manipulate the electrons to create a temporary magnetic field which the field from the permanent magnet repulses. This repulsion causes motion.

Things You'll Need

AA battery
6 inches of bare copper wire
Neodymium magnet
Needle nose pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Coil the copper wire loosely around the entire length of the battery, leaving 1 inch of straight wire on each side.
- 2
  Bend one of the straight ends of the wire into an upside-down "U" shape with the needle nose pliers, so that the wire tip will rest on the top of the positive battery terminal.
- 3
  Place the battery-wire assembly on top of the neodymium magnet. Adjust the last inch of straight wire so that it just lightly touches the magnet at the base. As long as the wire is not forcibly against any part of the battery or magnet, it will start to turn about the axis of the battery.

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