Intuitive physics

[snousle]

Here's a thought experiment that touches on a lot of different intuitions and assumptions. I'm curious to see how people answer:

You have two hockey-puck shaped permanent magnets, and you place one on each side of a thin sheet of plastic such that their mutual attraction clamps them strongly together. All surfaces are smooth and nearly frictionless (oil them if you like). If you hold the sheet stationary while rotating one of the magnets, does the other one rotate as well? Why or why not?

Comments

[p0lecat.livejournal.com]

Those magnets have a large numbers of magnetic north/south locations on each side. its not just one location. So its like having a bunch of little magnets side by side. If there was no resistance on the plastic, then the magnets would turn however, that can be quickly lost if turned too fast.