Can a Cat and Toast Really Create Perpetual Motion? The Science Behind the Joke

[The Buttered Cat]

Hi; I live in the US and have a PhD. in Electrical Engineering. My area of work is plasma physics. I have also taught introductory physics classes for 10+ years.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Welcome to PF! Interesting username!

 

[The Buttered Cat]

It's a reference to the joke about creating perpetual motion using a cat with a piece of buttered toast strapped to its back. I'm pretty sure most people on this website have heard and told that joke multiple times.