Exploring Perpetual Motion and Thermodynamics

Classical Perpetual Motion Machines

Historically, attempts at perpetual motion relied on mechanisms designed to violate the first law of thermodynamics: conservation of energy. These machines typically involved transferring energy between states without any external input – a continuous cycle with no loss or gain. Examples include overbalanced wheels and systems relying on friction reduction.

Thermodynamics and Entropy

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. However, the second law introduces the concept of entropy – a measure of disorder in a system. All real-world processes increase total entropy, meaning some energy is always lost as heat due to friction, resistance, or other inefficiencies.

ΔS ≥ 0 (Second Law of Thermodynamics)

Energy Losses in Simulation

Within our simulation, energy is represented as kinetic and potential forms. While we can manipulate these energies through applied forces, any attempt to create a closed system with no external influence will inevitably lead to energy dissipation – primarily as heat due to simulated friction within the engine components. This represents an increase in entropy.

KE + PE = Constant (Energy Conservation)

The Limits of Simulation

Our simulator allows for precise control over forces and energy transfer, but it cannot defy the fundamental laws of physics. The simulation demonstrates how even with perfect efficiency, maintaining a perpetual motion state is impossible due to unavoidable energy losses inherent in any physical system.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open SPH Fluid and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.