Laws Were Meant to Be Broken: Perpetual Motion Devices

Laws were Meant to be Broken: Perpetual Motion Devices

D. S. C. and P.C. K.

(Created 4 October 2005)

Introduction

Perpetual motion devices have always been seen as a feat unattainable with the current laws of thermodynamics. Accordingly, the second law of thermodynamics states that thermal energy (heat) is special by concluding all forms of energy can be converted into heat, but it is not possible to convert the heat back fully in its original form. In other words, heat is a form of energy of lower quality. A machine cannot produce the same amount of energy used to keep it running because some energy is lost in friction [1].

Scientists, throughout the ages, have attempted to create perpetual motion devices despite physics. Leonardo Da Vinci attempted to create a perpetual motion device (shown later) using a wheel and an odd number of weights to keep the wheel turning. Feynman attempted to make a Brownian motor using Brownian motion discovered by Robert Brown1.[2]

Nature seems to be laughing in front of our faces when it comes to perpetual motion devices. The atom uses perpetual motion! The electrons around the nucleus circle the atom forever. This perpetual motion is what tricks many scientists into thinking that perpetual motion devices can be achieved.[3]

Aims of Proposed Study

Creative ideas for perpetual motion devices have been created for years and none have worked. We are going to attempt to re-create two perpetual motion devices: Da Vinci's overbalanced wheel and the magnetic engine. Though these devices have been tested and went unsuccessful, we are going to try improve each one, finding any flaws, and see if we can somehow get a perpetual motion device to work.

Methods

I. Overbalanced wheel

We will first cut 2 circles out of wood that is 1 foot in diameter. We will then cut a smaller circle in each big circle, so each big circle would then have a 6 inch in diameter hole. We will connect each circle to each other using little metal rods and place weights on the rods. There will be an uneven amount weights on the wheel so when the wheel is spinning, there will always be more weight on top of the wheel, so the wheel will continue to move downwards using gravity. This will be held in midair with 2 poles attached to a base. This device will be in a controlled environment and watched over for 2 weeks.

II. Magnetic Engine

We will cut out 2 circles with Plexiglas, one with a 1 foot diameter and the other with a 6 inch diameter. On the 1 foot diameter circle, there will be 15 magnets on rods extending up each having the northern ends pointing inside the circle. One magnet will be located inside the circle and to one side of the circle with the southern end pointing out. This will make the center magnet pull the other magnets closer to it. The magnet in the center