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displaying 41 - 50 of 52 lessons
| title | description | rating | updated | author | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faraday Motor |
This lesson shows how to construct and operate a modern version of the first electric motor, invented by Michael Faraday. It serves as an excellent demonstration or hands-on activity to show the basic principles behind the operation of an electric motor. Learning goals... |
(10 votes) |
23-Apr-2014 | guy |
 |
| Battery Basics |
This lesson provides general background on the makeup, chemistry, and operation of batteries. Lecture slides attached. |
(8 votes) |
20-Apr-2014 | guy |
 |
| Homemade Micrometer |
This lesson describes how to construct a simple and inexpensive micrometer that can be used to measure objects up to several centimeters thick. It has a readout accuracy of 0.1mm or better, with a potential precision of 0.01mm. Construction time is about 30 to 60 minutes... |
(9 votes) |
15-Apr-2014 | guy |
 |
| Safety Pin Motor |
This lesson describes a simple motor that can be constructed in 15 minutes with inexpensive materials. It involves all the basic principles of motors involving magnetic force, electromagnets, and commutators (rotating switches common in many commercial motors). This device... |
(9 votes) |
17-Mar-2014 | guy |
 |
| An Electric Screw Motor |
This lesson gives instructions for one of the simplest and most popular designs for a homemade motor. It can be used as an in-class demonstration, or a hands-on activity for students, or a take-home kit. In any of these modes, it offers a wonderful introduction to the... |
(11 votes) |
17-Mar-2014 | guy |
 |
| Homemade Telegraph |
Construction plans and suggestions for a homemade telegraph. Serves as a good application for studying electromagnets. |
(19 votes) |
3-Mar-2014 | guy |
 |
| Blind Spot |
A description and explanation of the blind spot in the human eye, including exercises for finding and mapping your own blind spot. These exercises work very well on a computer display, and moderately well on a projector screen in front of a class. Lecture slides with images... |
(7 votes) |
23-Feb-2014 | guy |
 |
| A Survey of Simple Electric Motors |
This lesson provides general background on motors and surveys a number of projects for constructing simple motors. Motors teach us about several of the basic ideas of electromagnetism, but the fundamental operation of a motor rests on only two simple principles: ... |
(8 votes) |
12-Feb-2014 | guy | |
| Homemade Headphones from Picnic Supplies |
This lesson provides instructions for building a pair of headphones (or speakers) out of inexpensive materials. It makes for a good science project lasting several hours or a quick demonstration in class if you are willing to build ahead of time, though for a single... |
(11 votes) |
11-Feb-2014 | guy |
 |
| Classroom Rail Gun |
This lesson introduces two homemade versions of the "electric rail gun", a device that uses the principles of electromagnetic propulsion to drive a rod or axle along a pair of conducting rails. Both versions are suitable for in-class demonstration or hands-on activities.... |
(29 votes) |
23-Oct-2013 | guy |
 |