Would this wheel spin from magnetic force?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of a windmill-like wheel equipped with magnets on its blades spinning due to magnetic forces. Participants conclude that while magnets can be used on a rotor to create motion, as seen in electric motors, a magnetic wheel alone would not spin without an external magnetic field provided by a stator. The conversation highlights the necessity of both rotor and stator components in generating rotational movement through magnetic forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric motor components, specifically rotor and stator.
  • Basic knowledge of magnetic fields and their interactions.
  • Familiarity with the principles of electromagnetism.
  • Concept of magnetic polarity (N and S poles).
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the design and function of electric motors, focusing on rotor and stator interactions.
  • Explore the principles of electromagnetism and how magnetic fields can induce motion.
  • Investigate alternative methods for creating rotational motion using magnetic forces.
  • Learn about practical applications of magnetic levitation and its engineering challenges.
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physics enthusiasts, and hobbyists interested in electromagnetism, electric motor design, and innovative applications of magnetic forces.

ShaneD
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Recently I was thinking random thoughts and thought to myself, if there was a windmill like wheel with powerful magnets on each blade, would it spin? Here is a poorly drawn picture to help explain myself:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/magneticwheel.png/ [WARNING -- a user has reported that this link freezes his browser. --bcrowell]

The N's and S's are representing the different poles. Excuse my poor paintdrawing skills... lol paint is difficult to be precise in :P

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't spin(it doesn't seem likely), but can any of you think of a structure that would spin? This sort of stuff interests me. Thanks :D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
clicking that link gave me a forced Mac modal-box pop-up blurb. Had to restart browser. Just saying.
 
Hi ShaneD, welcome to PF!

You can certainly put magnets on a rotor and make it spin, that is what an electric motor does. Of course, you obviously also have to create a field outside of the rotor to push it. That assembly is called the stator.
 

Similar threads

High School Magnetic attraction force Question
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Faraday's disk and "absolute" magnetic fields
  • · Replies 128 ·
5
Replies
128
Views
12K
High School Confusion while trying to build intuition of centripetal force
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Firt time postjust a quick question about magnetic gearing
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Debunking Alleged proofs against modern science
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Schools PGRE - A message to undergrads from physics grad school.
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
8K
New, on a physics hiatus, , really any physics psychologists?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate Hydrogen-boron High Density Plasma Toroid Fusion
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K