How Everything Works on Instagram: "Vibrations in cell phones are created by a small component called a vibration motor, which converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. When your phone needs to alert you—such as for a call or notification—it sends an electric current to this motor. Inside, there’s a small unbalanced weight attached to the motor’s shaft. As the shaft spins rapidly, the uneven distribution of mass causes the motor (and the phone around it) to shake. This happens because t