AboutDan Fink Expertise Though my experience is mostly in the fields of electricity, magnetism, and physics, I have a broad science background. My career is in the field of alternative power sources -- solar, wind, water and battery power. But any questions about electricity, magnetism, energy conservation, power generation, electric motors, and even general physics are very welcome--especially from kids. They ask the best questions of all! I pride myself in answering science questions accurately, with ideas for SAFE, easy experiments that kids can perform by themselves--and that let them prove the answers to their own satisfaction. I think science should be fun, and available to everyone, regardless of age.
Experience I have volunteered in our local public schools for 5 years. I currently make presentations at our schools about electricity and magnetism, with a focus on solar, wind, water and other alternative power sources. I try to demonstrate at our schools how easy it is to make electricity, with simple devices using spinning magnets and coils of wire--powered by wind, water, bicycles, gerbils...etc. And of course solar panels! I am the webmaster of Otherpower.com, an alternative energy website. I have lived 10 miles from the nearest power pole for 11 years--I make all my own electricity from scratch with sun, wind and water.
Expert: Dan Fink Date: 2/4/2008 Subject: simple electric motor
Question I need a hypothesis for the simple electric motor I built. My problem statment was "Can electrical energy be converted into mechanical energy?" Or should I use this for my hypothesis. Iwas goig to use "Can is motor be made with a battery, wire and magnets?"
Answer Hi Lisa -- you already have the motor built? Then...
Wow, you don't need to ask me about all this stuff....both of your hypotheses are true. Your first one,
'Can electrical energy be converted into mechanical energy?'
is the best for a project. It sure can! That's how an electric car or bike works.
Your second statement, "Can is motor be made with a battery, wire and magnets?" is also true. That's how an electric car or bike works, and (if you want to get into detail) how the hard drive in your computer works (electric motor), your Ipod, the big generators from the utility company that power the outlets in your home......but then you are limiting yourself to talking about batteries, wire and magnets.
I'd go with #1 -- then you can talk about whatever you want to for your project! A zillion (not a technical term, ahem) ways to use the power from the electric motor to turn it into mechanical energy....car, bike, generator..... I rode an electric bike for a few minutes at the last renewable energy fair here locally, and it blew my socks off.....
