Question perpetual motion?
I've been told all my life that perpetual motion is impossible. Isn't the earth motion perpetual? Therefore, if we tap into such things as waves shouldn't that be counted as successful free energy. it mukes more sense than the"drinking bird" of the seventies

Best Answer Perpetual motion is the idea that a closed system (with no energy coming in) can continue to produce energy. When you rely on external forces such as wind, solar, etc... it is referred to as renewable energy. The earth spinning around the sun will go on for a very long time, but eventually the system will fail when the sun burns out or slighly before when the sun expands to cover the orbit of the earth... not scheduled any time soon so I wouldn't waste time worrying about it. That was a good question though since it points out the difference between these two energy types and addresses an underlying misunderstanding a lot of people have about perpetual motion.

Question Perpetual Motion?
I don't believe perpetual motion is impossible, am I the only one? But there HAS to be a way to get free energy. If not perpetual motion, something very very economical, which is close to it, there has to be. Someone else believe too?

Best Answer There is and there isn't such a thing. In theory, it is possible to have a perpetual motion machine, but not in practice thanks to the existence of friction and similar effects. Also, there is the little issue of the conservation of energy. Energy is neither destroyed or created but it can be stored and harnessed. For example, take a simple pendulum. For the sake of theory, let us say it is absolutely free of friction and any other physical effects that would normally stop it. If you set the pendulum swiniging, it will therefore swing forever and be a simple perpetual motion machine. However, it will be totally useless as a source of energy because of two reasons: 1) It did not start swinging on its own accord, something else provided the energy that set it into motion. If you lifted the pendulum up in one direction and let it go, you provided the energy for the motion. The pendulum will have that energy stored as kinetic energy (in the form of its swinging motion), but it will not be creating additional energy. 2) If you try to use the pendulum's motion to accomplish some sort of work, you will rob the pendulum of its energy and it will eventually stop swinging. There is no such thing as "free energy" because it has to have a source and it has to go somehwere. Also, a perpetual motion machine as described above cannot exist anyway. Your suggestion that an energy source could be exploited with a very high rate of efficiency is a far more likely scenario. Making use of exisiting heat, light and motion energy in the natural environment is the best solution as these sources of energy are renewable without a supply of fuel to be consumed. With current technology there are few other options.

Question How could I incorperate perpetual motion into my science fair project?
I really wish I could do my project on perpetual motion but the thing is I do not know how to experiment with it. You have to have 10 trials of one experiment and I just do not know how to make it work. I AM NOT TRYING TO INVENT A PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE. I just want to create an experiment showing why it will not work. Or something along those lines.

Best Answer If you're serious, you could study the previous attempts, organize them into types, and show their failings. You could learn just enough thermodynamics to discuss intelligently how it applies. You could choose a method you think makes the most sense or has the best chance of succeeding, and design an experiment to test it, even if the experiment couldn't be completed in your lifetime. You could also choose one you could test during the school year, perhaps with a surplus gyrocompass. You could study and discuss things like planetary orbits, electron orbits, and the unattenuated travel of a photon for millions of years, and why they do or do not qualify. Your exhibit could present one candidate as a challenge, and ask the viewer to explain why it is or is not perpetual motion. You'd have a lot of research and a little experiment. You'd have a catchy title, but perhaps not an engaging display. If you do, I'd appreciate acknowledgement and a copy of your report. If you succeed in finding a useful mechanism, I won't demand any of your profits, but I would like an invitation to your Nobel Prize presentation. I'm not trying to change your mind, or asking you to expect to invent a PMM. But as you study, keep your mind open and skeptical, and don't dismiss any candidate until you get a solid and rational reason.