Barlow Wheel spin.MOV

A reconstruction of the historical Barlow wheel. A star-spur wheel made of copper, spins on a sewing needle poised in the yoke of a metal support rod. The wheel's tips dip into a small channel that contains the liquid metal galinstan. Two flashlight batteries are connected in series with the galinstan pool and the metal support for the star wheel. Two strong magnets are placed on either side of the channel containing the galinstan. The wheel spins by a motor effect as current flows through the circuit consisting of batteries, wheel support, sewing needle axle, copper star, galinstan pool, and wire to batteries.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Barlow
• Wheel;
• Electric
• Motor;
• Historical
• Reconstruction