Does the psi wheel actually work?

Question

i have been reading up about the psi wheel and have seen some very convincing youtube footage?

Does it actually work?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psi_wheel

Answer 1

It depends on what you mean by "work". If you mean

does it rotate without apparent motive force, then yes

it does. That motive force, of course, is likely convection

currents from the warmth of your hand.

If you want a real test for psi claimers, then the Crooke's

Radiometer is your ticket. You can get one of these through

Edmond Scientific. This is a  4 vaned device of a similar

design that is sealed in an airtight, partially evacuated

glass bulb. The vanes are painted black on one side

and white on the other. If radiant energy falls on the black

side, then atoms of what air is left in the bulb

are heated, causing a kick that

will make the radiometer vanes rotate.  

So far as I know, there has never been an alleged psi

person who could make the vanes of a radiometer

rotate.

Answer 2

No, it doesn't. Sounds like a true believer edited that WIkipedia entry which somebody flagged for needing supporting citations (which of course don't exist).

The Wikipedia article did mention at least one non-paranormal mechanism for how the wheel could be made to move. I'd also suspect drafts, breath, and an unsteady support. If you really want to experiment with this, place the wheel inside a clear containers and seal the container. Place the container on a very solid, heavy piece of furniture so it doesn't wobble. Then, start practicing your powers.

By the way, youtube is a haven for hoax videos of all kinds. It's very easy to make and creatively edit videos nowadays.

Answer 3

Psi wheels are just another in a long line of hoaxes invented and perpetrated by crackpots.