CNS — Cases & Projects — Perpetual Motion

Updated:
May 2, 2015




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A metaphorical tale for introducing the subject of thermodynamics

by Marion Deichmann
English translation of the German narration by R. Fuchs and H. Fuchs


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  Perpetual Motion

  Cases…

It was supposed to be the best invention ever: The perpetuum mobile, a machine that powers itself.

An unending cycle made up of light, electricity, water and motion.

However, the machine initially stands still, at rest in a state of equilibrium. It will need a push in order to start running.

The push makes energy go into the generator. This energy is taken up by the electricity, causing its voltage to rise.

The electricity uses the energy to make the lamp shine. In turn, this light becomes the energy carrier. At the same time, the electricity flows back to its original level.

Wherever the light shines on the solar cell, the energy is used to raise the voltage. Unfortunately, the electricity only takes a part of the energy with it...



The electricity now drives the pump that forces the water with high pressure through the pipe leading to a higher level. In the process, it gives its energy to the water and the electric voltage is lowered again.

Gravity causes the water to flow downward by itself, releasing its energy. Via the water wheel, the energy is taken up by the momentum of the wheel.

The motion carries the energy from the water wheel over the drive belt and wheels to the generator—and the cycle of the perpetuum mobile begins all over again.

However, whenever energy is transferred, a part of it gets lost. Eventually there is not enough of it left over to start the next process.

It was supposed to be the best invention ever: The perpetuum mobile, a machine that powers itself.

An unending cycle made up of light, electricity, water and motion.

However, the machine initially stands still, at rest in a state of equilibrium. It will need a push in order to start running.

The push makes energy go into the generator. This energy is taken up by the electricity, causing its voltage to rise.

The electricity uses the energy to make the lamp shine. In turn, this light becomes the energy carrier. At the same time, the electricity flows back to its original level.

Wherever the light shines on the solar cell, the energy is used to raise the voltage. Unfortunately, the electricity only takes a part of the energy with it...

The electricity now drives the pump that forces the water with high pressure through the pipe leading to a higher level. In the process, it gives its energy to the water and the electric voltage is lowered again.

Gravity causes the water to flow downward by itself, releasing its energy. Via the water wheel, the energy is taken up by the momentum of the wheel.

The motion carries the energy from the water wheel over the drive belt and wheels to the generator—and the cycle of the perpetuum mobile begins all over again.

However, whenever energy is transferred, a part of it gets lost. Eventually there is not enough of it left over to start the next process.

This alleged miracle machine will never work.



Written off as a useless curiosity, it might find its way into a glass case in a corner of a museum where it is eventually forgotten.



If the room in the museum is not totally windowless and the machine is positioned just right at a window, a new element can come into play!

The sunlight shining on the machine is so strong that the amount of energy it carries is more than enough to drive the electricity in the solar cell—causing the cycle to begin again.


The energy that is unused does not get lost.

It causes heat to form.

As long as the sun shines, the processes continue to run. However, they must accomplish more because much more energy is coming into he machine:

The wheels turn faster.

The light burns brighter.

And it gets hotter inside the glass case.


 


This is because wherever energy leaves the cycle, there is friction causing the heat to increase. As long as the sun supplies energy, the amount of heat will increase expanding the air inside the glass case until...



Now the cycle has been broken:

The sun brings energy.

It is transferred from process to process, and it is distributed without increasing or decreasing …

… and is finally carried by the hat back into the atmosphere.

THE END