Harness Infinite Energy with Magnets in Space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of harnessing infinite energy using magnets in space, exploring the theoretical implications of magnetic forces, centrifugal force, and the potential for perpetual motion. Participants examine the feasibility of generating electricity from a system of revolving magnets in a frictionless environment.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a magnet revolving around another magnet in space could create a balance between centrifugal and magnetic forces, allowing for perpetual motion and continuous electricity generation.
  • Others challenge this idea by referencing Lenz's law, arguing that any attempt to harness energy from the system would encounter resistance that opposes motion, thus preventing infinite energy generation.
  • A participant questions the feasibility of the original idea by asking about the implications of the magnetic poles and the need for centripetal force.
  • Some express uncertainty about Lenz's law and its implications for energy conservation in electromagnetism, seeking simpler explanations for the concepts discussed.
  • One participant draws an analogy to potential energy, suggesting that while perpetual motion might be theoretically possible in a frictionless environment, extracting energy would introduce resistance and negate the idea of free energy.
  • Another participant reflects on the common misconceptions surrounding perpetual motion machines and the tendency for laymen to be misled by arguments involving electromagnetism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of creating infinite energy through the proposed magnetic system. Multiple competing views exist regarding the implications of Lenz's law and the nature of energy conservation in such systems.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on idealized conditions, such as a frictionless environment, and unresolved questions about the practical application of the proposed ideas. The discussion highlights the complexities of electromagnetic principles and the challenges in extracting energy from dynamic systems.

menniandscience
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if we take a magnet and put in space, now we take another magnet and start to revolve it around the first, the centrifugal force will make it try to push it out of the circular course we want it to stay but the magnetic force will pull it in a way that the two forces cancel each other, and because it is space therefore, frictionless, the magnet will revolve forever and we can make electricty all the time
 
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meni ohana said:
if we take a magnet and put in space, now we take another magnet and start to revolve it around the first, the centrifugal force will make it try to push it out of the circular course we want it to stay but the magnetic force will pull it in a way that the two forces cancel each other, and because it is space therefore, frictionless, the magnet will revolve forever and we can make electricty all the time

How do you propose to make this "electricity"?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
How do you propose to make this "electricity"?

Zz.

you place a metal cord between
 
meni ohana said:
you place a metal cord between

Then you are forgetting Lenz's law, or are ignorant of it.

Try this on your own. Take a coil of wire, connect the two ends to an ammeter.

Now, try sliding a magnet through it. You'll find that you'll encounter a RESISTANCE against moving the magnet through the coil. Why? The induced current in the coil (your "electricity") will create its own magnetic field that OPPOSES the change in flux through the coil - Lenz's law! You will have to do work to generate that electricity!

What this means is that once you try to harness your "spinning magnet", it will encounter a force that will oppose its motion!

So where is your "infinite energy" now?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Then you are forgetting Lenz's law, or are ignorant of it.

Try this on your own. Take a coil of wire, connect the two ends to an ammeter.

Now, try sliding a magnet through it. You'll find that you'll encounter a RESISTANCE against moving the magnet through the coil. Why? The induced current in the coil (your "electricity") will create its own magnetic field that OPPOSES the change in flux through the coil - Lenz's law! You will have to do work to generate that electricity!

What this means is that once you try to harness your "spinning magnet", it will encounter a force that will oppose its motion!

So where is your "infinite energy" now?

Zz.

So it is impossible in this universe to create free energy?
 
Red_CCF said:
So it is impossible in this universe to create free energy?

Only if you steal it from God :biggrin:

aka yes.
 
meni ohana said:
if we take a magnet and put in space, now we take another magnet and start to revolve it around the first, the centrifugal force will make it try to push it out of the circular course we want it to stay but the magnetic force will pull it in a way that the two forces cancel each other, and because it is space therefore, frictionless, the magnet will revolve forever and we can make electricty all the time

but a magnet has two poles, shouldn't it repel the other magnet at some point? and wouldn't it take centripetal force to keep it revolved?
 
  • #10
ZapperZ said:
Then you are forgetting Lenz's law, or are ignorant of it.


So where is your "infinite energy" now?

Zz.

that is why i am asking
 
  • #11
meni ohana said:
is there simple explanation?
Yes: energy is always conserved in electromagnetism.
 
  • #12
meni ohana said:
that is why i am asking

Your original post:

meni ohana said:
if we take a magnet and put in space, now we take another magnet and start to revolve it around the first, the centrifugal force will make it try to push it out of the circular course we want it to stay but the magnetic force will pull it in a way that the two forces cancel each other, and because it is space therefore, frictionless, the magnet will revolve forever and we can make electricty all the time

I see no "asking" here.

In any case, I believe this has been sufficiently addressed.

Zz.
 
  • #13
A dynamo apposes motion...yes it's true, but in ideal situations considering on friction, a dynamo will appose this motion, and convert this very rotary K.E to electrical energy...so your arrangement will stop someday.
 
  • #14
Well, I don't know much about Lenz's law, but I do know that in a frictionless system things will move "perpetually" but once you try to draw energy from it friction is applied because of the generator apparatus or some other thing that you use.
 
  • #15
Your idea is good up to a certain point. In total resistance free environment, perpetual motion is possible, however to extract energy you need to introduce some sort of coupling to another system, which will introduce a resistance.

An equivalent fallacy would be: We can extract potential energy form a mass located at a high position by letting it fall to the ground. Now If I put a heavy rock on a mountain, its position will always be high, therefore we have free energy, if we simply find some way of extracting it... which ofcause doesn't actually relie on moving the rock.

In Denmark, a "inventor" entered and competed in TV on a show called something like Danish best inventions, with a system like this. By confusing the judges with a clever sheme of using the boyancy of a bowling ball to lift it upwards. Needless to say, he didn't get far, but it was quite entertaining.

Most laymen are quick to discard the notion of such mechanical free energy devices, but if you add into the description som electromagnatism it's pretty easy to fool them. I once convinced a friend that superconductors could generate free energy, and he belived me simply because of the argument: "How else would they float in mid air?". Most the times, human resoning isn't that strong, that's why you need to do the math.
 
  • #16
Yup. Not to mention, I've noticed that the pursuing of perpetual motion machines is mostly by those who are at times ignorant of the most simple laws of physics. Which, really, is the only reason why they try...
 

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