How are the coils positioned relative to the magnets in this demo?

The coils are placed adjacent to the magnets on the stacked discs — close enough to sit within the magnetic field but not touching the disc surface. As the disc rotates or oscillates during levitation, the changing magnetic flux through the coil induces an EMF, measurable with a multimeter.

Levitation and Electricity — Coil Demonstration

Name: Levitation and Electricity — Coil Demonstration
Uploaded: 2026-04-06
Channel: Papa Bale
Description: Short demo of stacked discs with coils close to magnets. Three discs stacked on a pole, coils adjacent, multimeter connected. Discusses flipping disc polarity to achieve levitation while generating electricity from coil output.

⚡ Key Takeaways

Three discs stacked on a pole with coils positioned adjacent to the magnets
A multimeter connected to the coils confirms live voltage output during the demo
Flipping disc polarity converts attraction to repulsion — the key to achieving levitation
Levitation and electricity generation happen simultaneously in the same setup
Coil placement close to (but not touching) the magnets is critical for maximum induction

In this short but punchy demonstration, Papa Bale shows that levitation and electricity generation are not mutually exclusive — they can happen at the same time in the same stack. Three discs on a pole, coils tucked in close to the magnets, and a multimeter on the bench to keep things honest.

The Setup: Three Discs, One Pole, Adjacent Coils

The configuration is deceptively simple: three magnet discs stacked vertically on a central pole. Coils are positioned adjacent to the magnets — close enough to be within the active magnetic field but not in physical contact with the spinning or levitating disc. A multimeter is connected to the coil leads to provide a real-time readout of induced voltage.

The goal is dual-purpose: demonstrate stable levitation and confirm that the coils are producing usable electrical output at the same time. This kind of combined demonstration is important because it validates the practical pathway — not just levitation as a curiosity, but levitation as a platform for real energy transfer.

The Polarity Flip: Converting Pull to Push

The central technique in this demo is the polarity flip. When discs are assembled, it's easy to accidentally orient adjacent discs so that opposite poles face each other — causing attraction rather than repulsion. Attraction won't produce levitation; it pulls the discs together rather than pushing them apart.

By physically flipping a disc (rotating it 180° on the pole axis), the pole facing upward changes from north to south (or vice versa). If the disc below presents north upward and the flipped disc now presents north downward, the two discs repel — and levitation becomes possible. Papa Bale walks through this process visually, making it easy to understand for builders who've struggled with this exact issue.

Reading the Coil Output

With the discs in the repulsion configuration, the multimeter shows live voltage from the adjacent coils. As the discs move — oscillating slightly in their levitated position, or spinning if given a push — the changing magnetic flux through the coil windings induces an EMF. The multimeter needle moves. Electricity is being generated.

This is the payoff moment: the same magnetic arrangement that produces levitation also drives coil induction. The two phenomena reinforce each other conceptually, and this demo makes that relationship tangible and measurable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you generate electricity while magnetically levitating at the same time?

Yes — Papa Bale demonstrates exactly this. With coils positioned adjacent to the magnets on levitating discs, the changing magnetic flux induces a current in the coil. The multimeter confirms live voltage output while the disc is simultaneously in a levitated state.

Why does flipping disc polarity help achieve levitation?

Flipping a disc changes which face presents north or south to its neighbor. To achieve stable levitation (repulsion), opposing faces must present the same pole — both north or both south facing each other. Flipping converts an attracting pair into a repelling pair, enabling levitation.

How are the coils positioned relative to the magnets?

The coils are placed adjacent to the magnets — close enough to sit within the magnetic field but not touching the disc surface. As the disc moves or oscillates during levitation, the changing magnetic flux through the coil induces an EMF, measurable with a multimeter.

levitation coil demonstration electricity generation stacked discs polarity flip Papa Bale pulse motor