Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Starting a propeller using a battery
Equipment: АА battery, screw, copper wire, two round neodymium magnets, paper propeller.
Carefully place a paper propeller between two neodymium magnets. Then place the head of a screw on one of the magnets, and touch the sharp end of the screw to the negative (flat) pole of an AA battery. Use a finger to press one end of a copper wire to the positive pole of the battery, and touch the other end of the wire to one of the magnets. The propeller spins!
Important! Do not let the propeller spin too fast. Wear safety glasses.
When the circuit is closed, an electric current begins to flow, creating a magnetic field that acts on the neodymium magnets. At the same time, the magnetic field acts on the electric current. In the resulting system, electromagnetic energy tends to convert to mechanical energy. As a result, the magnet begins to rotate, suspended on the magnetized screw. The movement of the system is hindered only by friction at the tip of the screw, which is negligible due to the small area of contact to the negative pole of the battery.
Many amazing and safe experiments are waiting for you in the MEL Science subscription!
Safety precautions: Warning! Only under adult supervision.
Starting a propeller using a battery
Equipment: АА battery, screw, copper wire, two round neodymium magnets, paper propeller.
Carefully place a paper propeller between two neodymium magnets. Then place the head of a screw on one of the magnets, and touch the sharp end of the screw to the negative (flat) pole of an AA battery. Use a finger to press one end of a copper wire to the positive pole of the battery, and touch the other end of the wire to one of the magnets. The propeller spins!
Important! Do not let the propeller spin too fast. Wear safety glasses.
When the circuit is closed, an electric current begins to flow, creating a magnetic field that acts on the neodymium magnets. At the same time, the magnetic field acts on the electric current. In the resulting system, electromagnetic energy tends to convert to mechanical energy. As a result, the magnet begins to rotate, suspended on the magnetized screw. The movement of the system is hindered only by friction at the tip of the screw, which is negligible due to the small area of contact to the negative pole of the battery.
Many amazing and safe experiments are waiting for you in the MEL Science subscription!
Safety precautions: Warning! Only under adult supervision.
