perpetual motion

[somethingabstract]

I know that its not possible and I fully understand the laws of thermodynamics, and I do not wish to debate this. However, my question is what is the longest running machine without any external energy applied?

thanks

[Azalian]

I think there was a high quality gyroscope built in the seventies that once spun up to some huge rate in a vacuum ran down over a period of years, I'll try to find a site for it and post another answer.

[rov1200]

Everyone from Jake downwards poo poo perpetual motion and say its impossible. But I did read last week that the small amount of energy from magnets could be extracted and could be compared but on a smaller scale to tidal etc. Pendulums are pretty good but do eventually stop without assistance.

[rov1200]

cont:

This article may explain it:

http://www.articlesba...-machine-1302171.html

[jake-the-peg]

That's an overly flattering first expression rov!

I think my first reaction to the question would probably be one of the voyager space craft. Set moving in space they will continue pretty much forever. Launched in 1977 they have enough energy in their nuclear reactors to keek communications systems going until 2025.

Rovs article is one in a thousand perpetual motion machines which have been put forward for nearly a thousand years. I guess probably about half of them use magnets.

I particularly like the fact that if you follow their link you are told that it's something "the government" doesn't want you to know about

and

"intelligence services such as the CIA have been in charge of keeping the fact there’s free usable energy - from the general public."

Not only that but if you sign up you'll get 5 free bonuses!

Including "How to run your car on water" and "fuel effficient vehicles"

Not sure why you'd need fuel efficient vehicles if you're running your car on water! Doubtlessly it'd be explained to me if I paid them the £30 for their magnets

Maybe it'd cure my rhumatism too!

[Rev. Green]

Depends what you mean by "external energy" - a clock ran for more than one hundred years powered by a zinc plate buried in front on Leicester Museum, and a copper plate buried behind it - and "machine" - the Sun has been running for quite some time.

[Graham-W]

The "Crookes radiometer" always fascinated me bur it does have an external energy source. Light.
See http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Crookes_radiometer

[Clanad]

Additionally, (being the perpetual pedantic) it depends on the meaning of "running machine", since the Voyagerwill cease it's design capability, as JTP states within 10 to 20 years. Does the fact that it continues to move outward from planet Earth constitute "running"... personally I don't think so. Add to that, that at any given nano-second, it could be struck by any one of an assortment of space debris totally destroying it. Will the pieces and parts continue to "run"... again, I don't believe so...

[jake-the-peg]

Well I was thinking of its onboard systems rather than its momentum - I guess again it rather depends on the rules of the "contest"

[heathfield]

I was thrilled to hear that someone had invented a perpetual motion clock, but it turned out to be a wind-up! (Boom, boom!)

[xud]

Having just read Rov1200's link to magnets 4 energy, I am suprised that someone could be taken in by it. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

I wouldn't be suprised if the same company are offering those little magnets that you place on the fuel lines of you car.

Come on guys, get real.
I would love to see on in action, providing free, zero pollution electricity.
If something appears too good to be true then it probably is, but Hey, if it does work I will ditch my gas cooker and get an electric (sorry, free) cooker instead.

[mollykins]

I don't know if this counts but a seiries or two back on qi, there was an object which had a monomomosomethinsomethinsomething structure invented by someone from eastern europe and when you put it down, it forever moves because of its centre of gravity and balance.

ps. does the question mean at the same speed and velocity because the monomomo thing doesn't, it rolls back and forwards.

pps can anyone please find a link, i only know the first four syllabulles of the word.

[mollykins]

i tried googling it but i don't know enough of the word for it even to come up with a sensible suggestion. . . .

[mollykins]

its really annoying me now . . .