Electromagnetic Generator

by aandib in Workshop > Energy

989 Views, 3 Favorites, 0 Comments

Electromagnetic Generator

861FC9FA-8B94-40E7-9B88-578DF76150EF.jpeg

You wonder, how do you create electrical energy from mechanical energy? Build a simple generator that will light up a lightbulb when spun.

But first, let's look at what are electrical generators and how they work.

  • An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy from another source into electrical energy
  • A generator does not 'create' energy, but transforms it.
  • A generator is simply a motor working in reverse.
  • Essentially, when you apply motion energy to a generator, the copper coil within the magnet rotates repeatedly, creating a magnetic field.
  • When you move an electric wire inside a magnetic field, you allow electricity to flow through the wire, generating electricity.

Supplies

Materials Needed:

  • Cardboard
  • DC motor
  • LED Light
  • CDs
  • Glue
  • Rubber band
  • Craft Sticks

Part #1

IMG_5050.jpeg
IMG_5052.jpeg

  • Glue the two CDs together while using the black gear. (Remember, the gear's purpose is to create space between the CDs, and be able to spin it easily.)
  • Use a piece of cardboard to hold the CDs and be able to spin them.
  • Use a toothpick, craft sticks, or a bamboo skewer, and put it through the hole created between the CDs and the gear.
  • This way, you would be able to spin it, and light up the LED.

Part #2

  • With the use of tape, put the DC generator on the cardboard to hold it.
  • Put the rubber band between the two CDs and connected it to the gear of the DC generator.

Part #3

IMG_5059.jpeg

  • Use sandpaper or the edge of a knife to scrape the thin plastic coating off 2cm of the wire ends. Remove every bit of red coating.
  • Twist each wire of the bulb to one end of the coil.
  • Don't let them touch together or the bulb won't light up.
  • Turn the nail really fast and watch the bulb light up.