Experiments with electromagnets
Cool electromagnetic toys you can buy
Please note: the information at the end of each article refers to the part number of that item at the source indicated. Arbor is Arbor Scientific, ScientificsOnline is ScientificsOnline, AS&S is American Science and Surplus, EdIn is Educational Innovations. Today, some of these items are no longer being made and are not available.
Since every one of these items use electromagnets each one needs a source of electricity such as a battery or a wall outlet.
Top Secret
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRlwwAax8Ik
This is a clever toy which shows a top
spinning on a plastic base. Even after several days, it will keep on
spinning. See
Patent
#3783550. From Andrews Manufacturing. Cost is about $11.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
Space Wheel
This is similar to the above toy in that
spinner or wheel will continue to roll back a forth along two Plexiglas rails
with a dip in them, for several days. It makes a nice conversation piece
sitting on your desk. It's very quiet in its operation. See
Patent
#3783550. From Andrews Manufacturing. Cost is about $20.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
31-132, AS&S , EdIn
Kinetic Chaos
This toy shows the chaotic motions a pendulum can have if it
is influenced by forces other than gravity. Makes a great toy for the
executive's desk, and is silent. From Carlisle Company,
1-800-233-3931. Cost is about $13.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
Plasma Ball
This doesn't have any magnets in it, but is it affected by a
magnetic field? Try it sometime! From Carlisle Company,
1-800-233-3931. Also called Nebula Ball, Sunder Ball, Lightning
Ball. Cost is about $90. Smaller one available for about $45.
Arbor P2-7110, ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
Dynamo Flashlight
Have you ever needed a flashlight, only to
find that the batteries were dead and there were no other batteries of the right
size anywhere in the house? Then this is for you! It's a
hand-powered flashlight! Simply squeezing the handle repeatedly (once a
second or so) will keep the light on. You never need to worry about fresh
batteries or leaking batteries. It even comes with a spare bulb! The
case is made from clear plastic so you can see the magnetic armature rotating,
generating the voltage needed for the light bulb. From Fascinations,
Seattle, WA. Cost is about $13.
Arbor P3-3700, ScientificsOnline
81-554, AS&S 89643, EdIn SJ-200
The photo on the right is a similar design. The flashlight is powered by turning the hand crank on the bottom side of the body for only 30 seconds. It will then continue to shine for about 5 minutes. There are two settings for the lights: one LED or 3 LEDs. Nice that you don't have to continually squeeze the handle. Cost for this is about $30 from SharperImage.
"Forever" Flashlight
Here is another variation on a
flashlight. Again, no batteries are needed, and no light bulb will ever
burn out. How does it work? Inside the handle is a coil of wire
through which a cylindrical magnet can pass back and forth. As you shake
the flashlight, causing the magnet to slide from one end of the tube to the
other, it creates pulses of voltage that are used to charge a super
capacitor. All you have to do is shake it for about 30 seconds.
Then, turn it on. The super capacitor begins to provide power to the
blue/white LED to give you light. It will last for about 5 minutes.
After the light goes out, all you have to do is shake the flashlight again for
another 30 seconds in order to get light for another 5 minutes. Not bad,
eh? This one came from Brookstone.
One like it is available from Arbor Scientific
and other places. This is great for emergencies around the house or in the
car. Cost is about $40.
Arbor, ScientificsOnline,
AS&S, EdIn
Motion
There are several variations of this toy. The outer
structure swings back and forth, causing the inner structure to start swinging
in a random way. It may become annoying after a while. This costs
about $7.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
81-198, AS&S , EdIn
Battery Operated Electromagnet
Now, this is really something to see for yourself! It
is an electromagnet, made in the shape of a cup with a central core and outer
rim. There is a very smooth plate which mates with it. Both the
electromagnet and its plate have heavy-duty hooks attached to them. The
electromagnet has places for 2 "D" cell batteries, and an alligator
clip so you can power it from 1 or 2 batteries. It is supposed to be able
to hold 500lbs! Amazing?! I think so! I built a stand (called
"The Plank")
so people can see if it can hold their weight. Imagine, a battery is able
to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, the electromagnet converts
the electrical energy into magnetic energy, and the magnetic energy is able to
hold the plate onto the electromagnet while a 500lb person is standing on a
board attached to the plate! From Science First (http://www.sciencefirst.com/).
There are two versions: model 20-030 which can hold 200lbs with 1 D cell
battery, and model 20-035 which I described above. The smaller unit is
also available from ScientificsOnline
(Edmund). The smaller unit costs about $48, the larger unit about $55.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
60-435, AS&S , EdIn
Zero-Gravity Levitator
This is a super toy! Very new (at least for me)! It was from
www.unusualdevices.com for Discovery World. It stands just over
11" high, the globe is 3" in diameter, and comes with is power supply
which plugs into the 120Vac wall outlet. On the back is where you plug in
the power supply, there is also an on/off switch and a switch which turns on the
rotating function. This will cause the globe to rotate at a rate of about
once every 3 seconds. This is accomplished in a very clever
way: in the base are two coils, perpendicular to each other, which
has a NIB magnet on edge in their middle. When the rotating function
is on, the coils cause the magnet to rotate, which in turn affects the NIB
magnet which is located in the bottom of the globe, on its edge, causing the
globe to rotate. On the front left of the base is an orange knob which can
be rotated, adjusting the distance between the top of the globe and the bottom
of the electromagnet (which is contained in the top, pointed part of the
toy). There is a large NIB magnet in the top of the globe. I
works very well. The globe comes apart, and an additional 1.5 ounces
can be placed in the globe. More than that will cause it not
to float. The only drawback is that when power is interrupted or the unit
is turned off, the globe falls and hits the base. One of these
times, it will break. I may need to place some padding under the globe,
formed to catch and hold it if and when it falls. It costs about $50.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
30825-32, AS&S , EdIn
Floating Globe
This is a super executive desk top item! Very nice looking, with a
wooden base and useful globe.
The 3 and 1/2" globe comes in three different colors. It floats about
1/2" below the head that houses the electromagnet. A nice feature
here is that if power goes out, the globe will drop and stick to the base - it
won't roll off the desk and onto the floor and out the door. There isn't
anything to make the globe rotate except a gentle push from you. It costs
about $50.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
30825-32, AS&S , EdIn
Hovering Bumble Bee
This is a new item I found at the Science Place in Dallas, Texas.
The bee will fly in a circle around the flower base when you switch it on.
It's attached to a string to keep it in place. You can also switch on the
audio of a buzzing bee, or keep it quiet (a better selection for the
office). Nice design, fun to see something new. This costs about
$13.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
LED Gyroscope Top (Perpetual Top)
A surprising item! This Top will spin (according to the maker) for
about 4 hours. It comes with 4 batteries, but only 2 are needed at a
time. It has a blue LED (obviously) and a motor built in. This is
what keeps it running so long, until the batteries finally die. Since the
instructions were in Japanese, I had to guess some things. First, pull the
top of the Top straight up by the stem to remove it. Next, place two of
the CR-2032 batteries into the hole that is uncovered, with the + side up.
Then replace the top of the Top. It needs to spin clockwise. It does
not work if you spin it counter-clockwise. The photo on the left is with
the Top on a concave mirror. The mirror looks cool, but also keeps it from
wandering about. The second photo is where the Top is on a concave lens
that I picked up for only $1. Same purpose. Purchased from www.thinkgeek.com.
Costs about $17. Great gift idea! Here's a video
on it. How it works.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
Cupid's Arrow
A very attractive wooden item! This is like other perpetual motion
contraptions where there are batteries in the base that pulses an electromagnet
whenever a magnet passes by, giving it a shove. That's what happens to the
arrow that rotates and swings as seen in the photos. But, it does more
that just that. The horizontal shaft that holds the arrow is suspended by
magnets, and is held at only one point, at its tail end. Nice design by
HoverCraft (no web site!). Reminds me of something you might see in the
game Myst.
Purchased at www2.fi.edu. Costs about
$35.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
Levitating Globe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcXbMNirkms
A well designed item, and one that will grab the attention of everyone
who sees it! The design is very clean and simple. No
adjustments. It just works. It took me a few minutes the first time
before I was able to get the globe to balance - my trick now is to use two
hands, and keep a couple of fingers wedged between the globe and base so it
won't be so strongly attracted to the side of the base, and then slowly lower it
to the center position. I found that it won't work when sitting on top of
a metal file cabinet. So, I placed an upside-down paper tray (made of
plastic) under the base to give it 2" between its base and the file
cabinet. It works very well, and is very stable. Everyone who walks
by it is amazed and wants to buy one. When the base is covered by a piece
of paper, it is even more dramatic. The only other thing most people would
like it to do is slowly rotate. (Maybe the next model?) When the
power goes out, it will fall to the base and stick to the side of it - it won't
fall to the floor, which is a good thing. Purchased as P8-3200 at www.arborsci.com. Costs about
$89.
Arbor , ScientificsOnline
, AS&S , EdIn
MOVA Globe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wASnrt4aFd0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joI1Bs49fVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEJtHyv2Rqo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OypJajrHsIg
A beautiful, simple globe that rotates on its axis - somehow. I
did a double-take when I first saw it! It is now a centerpiece at my
office. The design is very clean and simple. No
adjustments. No batteries. No wires. No plugs. Totally
silent. It just slowly rotates even at normal office lighting levels.
It is highly engineered. First, the surface of the sphere seems to be the
surface of the rotating globe. It isn't. The globe is inside a clear
plastic shell that is filled with a liquid within which the globe floats with
almost no friction. Second, a set of photocells convert the light that
penetrates the surface of the globe into a voltage to run a small motor.
Third, the stator of the motor is held in position by a magnet that aligns
itself with the Earth's magnetic field. Fourth, a steel band around the
equator provides a flywheel affect to the smooth rotation of the globe.
FANTASTIC! Below are some locations where you can purchase
one. I found mine at Nordstrom in downtown Seattle. Or, Google
"mova globe". Costs about $100.
http://www.worldglobeu.com/movaglobes
http://www.worldglobeu.com/university/about/mova/mova-globe-helps
describes how it works
http://www.1ststoptravelstore.com/Mova_globe_solar_power_revolving-earth.htm
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20051231/mova-globe/
Levitron World Stage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yQVws1uC9k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDIb0MImXYc
Another well designed item. No
adjustments. It just works - and it rotates! It works very well, and is very stable.
The magnet can be removed from the globe and it will hover about 3/4" above
the base, and rotate by itself. It is designed so that you can place an
item (less than 3 ounces) onto the magnet so that it will float and
rotate. The base has a mirror surface and blue LEDs. The LEDs are an
indicator when things are operating properly. If you like, you can always
cover the base with a cloth or paper if the bright blue lights are too
much. Distributed by www.fascinations.com.
Purchased from ThinkGeek. Also
available from ScientificsOnline
and Innovatoys. Costs about $70.
Similar unit available from http://www.levitationarts.com/.
Zeltom Electromagnetic Levitation System (emls)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-wt3bME8nE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o4TdX3o098
This is a levitator with a feature that others don't have. Not
only will this levitate a magnet, you can control the motion of the magnet as it
hangs in mid-air. For example, the magnet can be stationary like other
levitators. Or, it can move up and down with a sinusoidal motion or with a
sawtooth motion or a square wave motion. You can also control the
amplitude of the motion and the speed of the motion. Interesting
additions! Purchased from www.zeltom.com. Costs about
$65 fully assembled with the battery adapter.
Ferroflow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfHgz8ZnHjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFeTl11wQ-I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OQNmLTPYQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEJAlogqKI
It appeared to be a nicely designed container for housing ferrofluid along with a magnet on the bottom, and an adjustable electromagnet at the top. The knob on the side of the top allows you to adjust the strength of the magnetic field at the top of the glass jar, allowing the ferrofluid to be pulled up to the top electromagnet. Reducing the strength allows the ferrofluid to drop to the bottom magnet. A very expensive gadget, around $275! The problem is that the liquid already has become hazy and has stains on the inside of the glass jar. So, it has some real problems. Should have a cost of $50. Buyer beware on this one! http://www.ferroflow.com/
