Parts

Step 1
With a light dab of glue, insert the Wrapping Pegs in the main housing.

Step 2
Leaving an end of four inches (4"), loop the Wire around the Starting Peg at the bottom-left of the circle.

Step 3
Carefully wrap it clockwise around the five Wrapping Pegs.

Step 4
When you near the end, loop the wire around the Ending Peg on the lower-right of the circle. Leave at least four inches of wire and trim to size if necessary.

Step 5
Insert the stands into the housing and place upright. Wrap the exposed wire at the ends onto the Washers.

Step 6
Push a tack part way into one end of the extension arm, and insert into the housing. Push your other tack into the middle of the top of the frame, leaving a stem.

Step 7
Tape the string to the magnets in the center.

Step 8
Suspend the first magnet in the center of the circle. Position it by wrapping the string loosely around the metal stem and pulling taut until the magnet is in place. At the end of the arm, suspend the second magnet at the same height.

Step Done
Insert the battery and touch the washers to either end. Observe closely. What's happening?
Experiment and test how to make the magnet(s) spin in the other direction.

Expand the lesson with PhET, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado. The Circuit Construction Kit coupled with Philip Kukulski's DC Circuit Challenge provide an excellent lesson on electrical basics.

• Program Information (pdf)
• Student Worksheet (pdf)
• Teacher Worksheet (pdf)