Kara Sears
The idea of perpetual motion, a machine that can do work indefinitely without an external energy source, has fascinated inventors and the public for hundreds of years. However, it is generally considered impossible as it would violate the well-established laws of physics and thermodynamics. Despite this, some inventors continue to pursue perpetual motion machines, believing that certain laws of physics do not apply to their inventions. This has led to various hoaxes and unsuccessful attempts throughout history. The question remains: are our laws truly infallible, or is there a realm where the rules of physics do not apply, and perpetual motion can exist?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Perpetual motion is the motion of bodies that continues forever in an unperturbed system. |
| Perpetual motion machines | A hypothetical machine that can do work indefinitely without an external energy source. |
| Possibility | Impossible, as it violates the first and/or second laws of thermodynamics. |
| Examples of machines | Vilard de Honnecourt's design, Edward Somerset's machine, Johann Bessler's machine, Robert Fludd's closed-cycle water mill, John Gamgee's "zeromotor", Charles Redheffer's machine, Isaiah Lukens' machine. |
| Public appeal | High, due to the promise of a virtually free and limitless source of power. |
| Buoyancy | A misunderstood phenomenon, where some proposed machines ignore the work required to move a volume of air in a fluid. |
| Inventor's perspective | Many inventors believe their machines do not violate the laws of physics, and some specific laws may not apply, such as the conservation of energy. |
| Traits of a working machine | Frictionless, silent, no heat emission, no radiation emission. |
| Scientific investigations | Telescopes and other measurements have shown that physics has remained substantially the same for all observable time. |
| Black holes | A zero-volume object like a black hole could have infinite energy density and live forever. |
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What You'll Learn
The laws of thermodynamics
The concept of perpetual motion has captivated inventors and the general public for centuries. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical machine that can operate indefinitely without requiring an external energy source. However, the existence of such a machine contradicts the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, specifically the first and second laws.
The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. In a perpetual motion machine, the device would need to produce more energy than it consumes to sustain its operation, which is impossible without violating this law. This law is supported by various scientific investigations and mathematical proofs, demonstrating its robustness.
The second law of thermodynamics states that energy conversion from heat to work is never perfectly efficient, and some energy is always lost in the process. This law is closely related to the concept of entropy, which measures the degree of disorder in a system. In a perpetual motion machine, the entropy of the universe would be reduced, as the machine would be able to convert heat into work with perfect efficiency, contradicting the second law.
Perpetual motion machines of the third kind refer to those that aim to eliminate friction and other dissipative forces to achieve continuous motion. While it is possible to significantly reduce these forces, their complete elimination is unattainable without investing additional energy. This limitation underscores the impracticality of perpetual motion machines of this category.
The pursuit of perpetual motion has led to innovative thinking and the exploration of new ideas. However, it is essential to recognize that the very laws of thermodynamics that perpetual motion machines aim to circumvent are deeply entrenched in the fabric of the universe. The principles of thermodynamics have been extensively validated through theoretical and experimental means, leaving little room for doubt regarding the impossibility of perpetual motion in a closed system.
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The first law of thermodynamics
Perpetual motion is the motion of bodies that continue indefinitely in an unperturbed system. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical machine that can perform work forever without an external energy source. Such a machine is impossible, as its existence would violate the first and/or second laws of thermodynamics. These laws apply regardless of the size of the system. For example, the motions of celestial bodies like planets may appear perpetual, but they are subject to processes that gradually dissipate their kinetic energy, such as solar wind and gravitational radiation.
Proposals for perpetual motion machines have fascinated inventors and the public for centuries due to the promise of limitless free energy. However, the fact that such machines would violate the fundamental laws of thermodynamics has not deterred attempts to create them.
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The second law of thermodynamics
Perpetual motion is the motion of bodies that continue forever in an unperturbed system. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical machine that can do work indefinitely without an external energy source. This kind of machine is impossible, since its existence would violate the first and/or second laws of thermodynamics. These laws of thermodynamics apply regardless of the size of the system. For example, the motions and rotations of celestial bodies such as planets may appear perpetual, but are actually subject to many processes that slowly dissipate their kinetic energy.
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The third law of thermodynamics
In simpler terms, the third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system at thermodynamic equilibrium approaches a constant value when its temperature approaches absolute zero. This constant value is independent of other parameters such as pressure or applied magnetic fields. At absolute zero (0 Kelvin), the system must be in its minimum possible energy state, which is known as the ground state.
An important consequence of the third law is that it allows for the calculation of the absolute entropy of a substance at any temperature. This is achieved through heat capacity measurements. For example, by measuring the heat capacity of a solid over the entire temperature range from absolute zero to a desired temperature, the absolute entropy can be determined.
The third law has been stated in various ways, including by Nernst himself, who said: "It is impossible for any procedure to lead to the isotherm T = 0 in a finite number of steps." Another formulation, by American physical chemists Merle Randall and Gilbert Lewis, states that when the entropy of each element in a perfect crystalline state is considered as 0 at absolute zero temperature, the entropy of every substance must have a positive, finite value.
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The laws of physics
The concept of perpetual motion has captivated inventors and the general public for centuries. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical construct that can operate indefinitely without requiring an external energy source. However, the existence of such a machine contradicts the fundamental laws of physics, specifically the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, dictates that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. In a perpetual motion machine, the energy output would surpass the energy input, defying this law. The second law of thermodynamics states that energy conversion from heat to work is never perfectly efficient, and some energy is always lost in the process. This law is challenged by perpetual motion machines of the second kind, which aim to reduce the entropy of the universe.
Proponents of perpetual motion often argue that certain laws of physics may not apply in specific circumstances or that there might be places where the geometry and physics are different, allowing for the existence of perpetual motion. However, these arguments remain speculative and are not supported by scientific evidence. The principles of thermodynamics are firmly established, and the laws of physics have remained substantially consistent for all observable time, spanning billions of years.
The pursuit of perpetual motion has led to numerous unsuccessful attempts throughout history. Notable examples include the closed-cycle water mill proposed by Robert Fludd in 1618 and the ammonia-filled "zeromotor" developed by John Gamgee in the 1880s. While these machines demonstrated impressive operational periods, they ultimately could not achieve indefinite motion.
In conclusion, the existence of perpetual motion machines contradicts the established laws of physics, particularly the principles of thermodynamics. While the idea of limitless energy is intriguing, it remains within the realm of speculation and has not been realized in practice.
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Frequently asked questions
Perpetual motion is the motion of bodies that, in theory, can continue forever in an unperturbed system. However, according to the current understanding of the laws of physics, perpetual motion machines are impossible as they would violate the first and/or second laws of thermodynamics.
There are three types of perpetual motion machines. The first type includes devices that aim to deliver more energy from a falling or turning body than is required to restore them to their original state. The second type of machine attempts to violate the second law of thermodynamics, which states that some energy is always lost when converting heat into work. The third type of machine is associated with continuous motion and would supposedly be possible if mechanical friction and electrical resistivity were eliminated.
Some examples of perpetual motion machines include the closed-cycle water mill proposed by Robert Fludd in 1618, the "zeromotor" developed by John Gamgee in the 1880s, and the machine designed by Johann Bessler, also known as Orffyreus.
