{"id":51010,"date":"2025-08-20T05:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=51010"},"modified":"2026-03-10T04:45:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T19:45:41","slug":"everyones-a-success-in-class-tips-for-making-a-clip-motor-a-hands-on-approach-using-corrugated-plastic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=51010&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Everyone Succeeds in Class! Tips for Making a Paperclip Motor (A Practical Method Using Plastic Cardboard)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m Ken Kuwako, your Science Trainer. Every day is an experiment!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Return to the “Otobutsu” Special Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Have you ever heard of a clip motor? It is an incredibly simple motor made using a dry cell battery, enameled wire, and paper clips. You might have seen one in a science class or as a popular science fair project. Watching the coil start spinning the moment the current flows feels like true science magic! However, there is a common pitfall: while it looks easy to build, it can be surprisingly tricky to actually get it running.<\/p>\n

Have you ever spent ages building one, only for it to sit there completely still? You\u2019re not alone! The trickiest part is usually the coil. If the coil isn’t a perfect circle or if the two side axes aren’t perfectly aligned, the interaction with the magnet won’t work correctly, and it simply won’t spin.<\/p>\n

Today, I\u2019m going to share a game-changing secret to solve these common frustrations. By using a simple piece of plastic corrugated board (Pladan), anyone can build a clip motor that spins perfectly every single time! This “eye-opening” method was taught to me by Mr. Eiji Komori. Are you ready to experience the wonders of science with your own hands?<\/p>\n

Understanding How a Clip Motor Works
\nA clip motor is a brilliant example of electromagnetic induction in action, converting electrical energy into kinetic energy (motion).<\/p>\n

Current and Magnetic Fields: When electricity from the battery flows through the coil made of enameled wire, a magnetic field is generated around the coil.<\/p>\n

Interaction with the Magnet: This magnetic field from the coil interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet placed nearby. The resulting force is what pushes the coil to spin.<\/p>\n

Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule: There is a specific relationship between the direction of the current, the magnetic field, and the resulting force. This is known as Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule. The force generated by the current and the magnet pushes the coil, creating rotational motion.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Key to Success: Why Traditional Methods Fail
\nUsually, people make the coil by wrapping enameled wire directly around a battery. However, more than half of the people who try this fail! Even adults find it quite difficult. There are two main reasons for this:<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/p>\n

The axes aren’t straight: If the two wires sticking out from the sides aren’t perfectly aligned in a straight line, the rotation won’t be smooth. Even a tiny bend causes an imbalance that stops the spin.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to make a perfect circle: To create a uniform magnetic field, the coil needs to be a clean circle. Making this by hand is tougher than it looks!<\/p>\n

Plastic Corrugated Board: The Ultimate Savior!
\nThis is where the plastic corrugated board (Pladan) comes in! By using a small piece of this board as a support frame, we can solve these problems instantly.<\/p>\n

\"Pladan<\/p>\n

Using plastic board offers several advantages:<\/p>\n

Perfectly shaped coils: The board acts as a guide, so anyone can make a neat circular coil easily.<\/p>\n

Cost-effective: Since the design is compact, you use less enameled wire, saving on materials.<\/p>\n

Easy axis alignment: The thickness and structure of the board make it much easier to keep the side axes perfectly straight.<\/p>\n

For this project, I used about 45cm of enameled wire with a diameter of 0.5mm. This thickness provides enough structural integrity for a sturdy motor.<\/p>\n