A periodic arrangement of magnets are used to form structures that channel the potential energy that a magnet possesses into kinetic energy in a controlled fashion to perform some useful work or function. One function is to create a magnetic chute that converts the potential energy of a magnetic projectile into kinetic energy that is used to channel the projectile to follow a path achieving high velocities along a path. The path is formed by assembling magnets periodically along the path in a certain fashion to create a magnetic chute that allows the magnetic projectile to slide easily along the path since the projectile is confined by the shape of the magnetic chute.