MRI magnetic motor sculpture

Inspired by the images of MRI scanners we decided to do some fun experiments with magnets.

IMPORTANT: These ideas are not suitable for small children and battery motor sculpture should not be left unattended because it could pose a fire risk!

You will need

neodymium magnets
AA battery
wire cutters
copper wire

Instructions

Carefully cut a length of wire (about 34cm) and bend into the heart shape as in the drawing. Use the battery size as a template and make the bottom coils large enough to loosely circle the magnets
Attach 2 magnets to the – end of your battery
With some tricky adjustment lower your heart shape over the battery. The centre of the heart balancing on the + end of the upright battery and the coil circling the magnets (not touching the table surface). This bit can require some patience to get the right shape. Once balanced your wire heart should spin on the battery. (See film clip below)

pliers, copper wire, AA battery, magnets

pen drawing of copper wire, AA battery, and magnets

line drawing of motor battery sculpture - wire, AA battery and magnet

copper wire coiled into heart shape around AA battery balanced on two magnets

Video clip

Other tips and ideas

If your motor doesn’t spin try flipping the magnets on the bottom of your battery
Try out different shapes of wire
Try our MRI cardboard modelling activity or magnet experiments activity