[Fichori]

"magnetic coils"

Like the coils in an electric motor.

You put current through the coils, that makes magnetism, which pulls on a permanent magnet, which causes rotation...

I think thats the idea anyway...

[Jotmo]

You put current through the coils, that makes magnetism, which pulls on a permanent magnet, which causes rotation.

Not all electric motors have magnets, but they all work using coils and magnetic fields.

So in this case, how is the electric field applied to the rotor? And why would you need pistons to do that?

Not expecting you to answer that, just wondering.

[incredulous joe]

A couple of years ago I was teaching science at a private school and I developed a little engineering challenge for my 6th graders. It was called “The Most Pendulous Pendulum Throwdown”.

The kids worked in teams with chosen materials, often legos and connex to create the longest running pendulum. One of my students used magnets to keep his project going longer than everyone else. I hadn’t thought to outlaw the use of magnets and this student won for smarts, shrewdness in design and creativity!

My other students didn’t like that this boy used magnets in his design and I informed them that they had just learned yet another valuable life lesson.