Second Thoughts about Perpetual Motion Devices after having responded to that other thread here on Perpetuum Motion
I think it's worth noting why they're considered hypothetical. According to Newton's law, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an opposing force. Does this therefore limit perpetual motion to the subatomic and cosmological realms where such forces do not need to be overcome? The definition I've given says nothing about what force applied to overcome resistance and maintain motion in our earthly realm is acceptable. Gravity definitely is as the Wikipedia illustration I uploaded suggests, and one would think solar and wind too, but who's to say an electric motor is not perpetual motion when it fits the definition perfectly? Anyone come up with another definition?
As for the solar-powered toy, I'd consider it a PM device, a FE device, but not an OU one for reasons I've stated. But that's just MHO.
I think it's worth noting why they're considered hypothetical. According to Newton's law, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an opposing force. Does this therefore limit perpetual motion to the subatomic and cosmological realms where such forces do not need to be overcome? The definition I've given says nothing about what force applied to overcome resistance and maintain motion in our earthly realm is acceptable. Gravity definitely is as the Wikipedia illustration I uploaded suggests, and one would think solar and wind too, but who's to say an electric motor is not perpetual motion when it fits the definition perfectly? Anyone come up with another definition?
As for the solar-powered toy, I'd consider it a PM device, a FE device, but not an OU one for reasons I've stated. But that's just MHO.
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