Lately, there has been a lot of talk about infinite energy and perpetual motion machines, but is this really possible? In this video, I will tell you the myths and truths about these concepts.
Energy can be measured in joules, calories, and kilowatt-hours, and it has the ability to do work. This energy can manifest in various forms, such as mechanical, nuclear, electromagnetic, and thermal energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change its form.
There are two types of perpetual motion machines: the first type aims to produce more energy than it consumes, and the second would perform work by exchanging heat with only a single thermal source. The problem with these research paths is that they violate the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
Many of these machines use asymmetry combined with gravity to make the motion repeat over and over. However, to start these machines, an initial push is needed, which, with the help of asymmetry and gravity, manages to maintain the motion for a certain period of time, but the energy gradually dissipates.
Although this idea has become very popular recently, its origins date back to the 12th century with Bhaskara's wheel. This wheel relies on the displacement of fluids by gravity to keep the wheel in motion.
Throughout history, various machines have been invented that continued to function with the intent of achieving a perpetual motion machine. Although these machines continued to perform their tasks for a certain period of time, they eventually stopped working. And what is the arch-enemy of infinite energy? Friction.
The motion continuously loses energy until there is not enough left to complete the task.
Examples of perpetual motion machines:
Robert Boyle built a self-filling glass, one of the most intriguing experiments on the subject, as the machine works with certain liquids. The problem with this invention is that it only works with liquids that contain gasses and stops functioning when these gasses dissipate. The drinking bird relies on the evaporation of water to keep its cycle going, and once the water in the glass runs out, it stops working.
Even machines that rely on solar energy or a radioactive energy source cannot be considered perpetual motion machines, as that energy is also consumed.
A possible solution arises: to reduce friction as much as possible by using magnetism, which would also provide a constant stimulus through electromagnetic attraction. This stimulus would be generated by the principle of attraction and repulsion of magnets. A stronger magnet induces the repulsion of the weaker magnet, which would be responsible for moving the wheel.
And how do you keep the magnet spinning? A rotor would ensure that the magnet stays on its path. Still, several fixed magnets would be necessary for the free magnet to complete a full rotation.
The theory seems to work, but in reality, it does not. This happens because, for the free magnet to continue on its path and complete the rotation, an attractive force equal to or greater than the repulsive force induced by the previous fixed magnet is needed.
So far, it is impossible to create a perpetual motion machine because, even if infinite energy could be generated with magnetism to reduce friction, during the energy conversion to perform the task, it would disperse into other forms of energy. Even with the movement of atoms, energy is lost. In any case, the concepts of perpetual motion machines and infinite energy violate the principles of energy conservation and go against the laws of nature.
📚 Data source:
Aldao, CM. LAS MÁQUINAS DE MOVIMIENTO PERPETUO: EL SUEÑO DE LA ENERGÍA INFINITA. Facultad de Ingeniería. Universidad Nacional del Mar de Plata. E.M. nº 71 Mayo-Agosto 2022. Disponible en: http://encuentros-multidisciplinares.org/revista-71/celso-m-aldao.pdf
https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/ciencia/fisica/maquina-de-movimiento-perpetuo/
https://cienciadebolsillo.com/fisica/maquinas-de-movimiento-perpetuo/gmx-niv31-con330.htm
https://www.scielo.br/j/rbef/a/zSTQdvT4SRWwFHMGhKmrpBD/?lang=en
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