The alpha science classroom tellskids that when you spin a straw, itforces the water inside to spin. Whenan object is spinning, anything on thatobject will feel a force pushing itoutward. This is called centrifugalforce. The water in the strawbeingpushed outward, and the only way itcan move outward is by moving upthe straw. If you turn the straw fastenough, the water will fly out like asprinkler. Many pumps use the sameprinciple. It's a very simple pump,which is why it's used in machines likewashing machines and vacuumcleaners.