Science with Sydney
Make a Flashlight
That doesn’t use batteries!!
If you watched my video on how to make an electromagnet you would see that electricity can make a magnet. In this project you will see how a magnet can also make electricity. It goes both ways! In the electromagnet experiment we wrapped wire around a metal core and introduced electricity to the wire and made the metal core into a magnet. Now, what would happen if we took out the metal core and replaced it with a magnet? Watch Sydney try this and see what happens. She will also show you how to make your own flashlight that doesn’t use batteries, only a magnet and wire!
What You Need:
For this experiment you will need to gather the following materials.
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Direct current motor (DC motor)
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We got our DC motor out of an old computer printer. You can find one in all kinds of old electronics. Take them apart and see how they work.
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You can also buy a DC motor for very cheap at an electronics store or online
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Wire
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Any kind of wire will do
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LED light
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We found a $1 LED flashlight from Target and took it apart
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You can also buy LED's online
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Put It Together:
Putting it together is simple. Simply attach one terminal of the DC motor to one end of the LEDs, and the other terminal of the DC motor to the other end of the LEDs. Now when you spin the shaft of the DC motor, it will spin a coil of wires inside the DC motor through a permanent magnet creating an electric current through the wires. This will light up the LEDs. (NOTE: LEDs are unidirectional, meaning they will only work if the electricity flows a certain direction. So if you spin the DC motor shaft and the LEDs do not light up, try spinning the shaft in the opposite direction). That's it, you have made light with your hands!
TRY THIS:
In my video, we made a crank out of an old fishing real. Try to come up with a way to turn your DC motor shaft. I would love to know what you come up with. If you make one, please take a picture and email it to me. Thanks!
