Psi wheel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Psi wheel is pyramid-shaped top-like device consisting of a small piece of paper or foil balanced on the tip of a pointed object commonly used for demonstrating telekinesis. Skeptics advance various counter-explanations; most common are explanations involving air currents caused by the convection of heated air which move the psi wheel.
Contents |
[edit] Construction
There are several designs for the shape of the psi wheel, but the most common is an inverted funnel-shaped pyramid. This psi wheel shape may be constructed by creasing a small (around 2 inch by 2 inch) square of paper or foil lengthwise, heightwise, and diagonally both ways, then bending the square slightly along the creases to reach the desired shape.
Another common type of psi wheel is in the shape of a cross made out of a thin sheet of metal such as aluminum or brass. The arms of the cross are anywhere from 1.25 to 2 inches in length, with a small dimple in the middle so that it can be balanced on something sharp.
This wheel then balances on a small, pointed object such as a thumbtack, needle, or pen cover firmly planted on a flat surface. An object such as a thumbtack or pen cover can stand on its base by itself, however an object such as a needle will need to be rooted in another stable object such as an eraser, sponge, or bottlecap in order to provide it with enough stability to hold the spinning wheel on its tip.
[edit] Telekinetic explanations
Some telekinetics claim to be able to successfully manipulate these wheels to perform basic maneuvers on command, such as rotating the wheel around its axis. Some claim to have the ability to then stop the wheel, and spin it in the other direction. Some also claim they can eventually remove their hands from the wheel whilst still causing it to move.
[edit] Skeptical explanations
The human body maintains its core body temperature by releasing excess heat through the skin into the surrounding air. Thus when warm hands are placed on either side of the psi-wheel, the air around the wheel becomes warmer than the surrounding air. This hot air rises above the surrounding colder air by convection, causing a small updraft that pushes on the psi-wheel. The positioning of the hands can manipulate the direction of the draft to cause the wheel to rotate. Any heat source, human or non-human, can reproduce this effect with the appropriate positioning.
