Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello, have been working on project "The Speed of Light: Explore Solar Energy with a Supercapacitor Car Motor." The instructions in the Science Wiz Energy Kit differ a little from the instructions on the website. The motor won't run. In the picture on the website, the red wire from the solar cell and positive side from the supercapacitor are on the left side of the motor. In the kit, its on the right side. Can someone break down the proper connection to get the motor running?

Moderator: project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... lar-energy

Hello,
Its awesome that you are making a solar powered car! Some reasons that the motor may not be running are;

1) the wires are not connected to the correct places (don't worry about the 'side' that the wires are connected to in the picture, just make sure that the red wire is connected to the positive end and the black wire is connected to the negative end of the capacitor in your project)
2) the solar panel has not gotten enough sun yet to work (sometimes solar panels like this need time to warm-up!)
3) the motor's shaft may be sticking -- just try spinning it with your finger and that should alleviate any sticking.

Hope this helps!