Why Can't a Windmill Be Powered by Magnets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using magnets to power a windmill, particularly in the context of perpetual motion machines. Participants explore various ideas and experiences related to the concept, including theoretical and practical considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the mechanics of using magnets to attract a fan, suggesting that if a magnet attracts the fan, the fan would also attract the magnet, leading to a potential stalemate.
  • Another participant shares personal experiences attempting to create perpetual motion with magnets and mentions trying various methods, including 'dynamic shielding,' but concludes that none were successful.
  • There is a suggestion that if perpetual machines were possible, they might be harnessing energy from background radiation or ambient energy, but the participant expresses skepticism about the simplicity of such a solution.
  • A later reply compares magnets to elastic cords, arguing that the same principles that apply to magnets would also apply to elastic cords, implying that the design would not work in either case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the concept of using magnets for perpetual motion is flawed, but there is no consensus on the specifics of why it cannot work or the implications of such attempts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the underlying principles of magnetism and energy conservation, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of energy and its sources.

shuang
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I know it can't work but can someone explain why?

The U thingys are the magnet. So the magnet attracts the fan and it keep moving.
 

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Newtons second law: If the magnet attracts the fan, the fan attracts the magnet
 
Tried it...

The fact is I've tried many possibilities attempting perpetual motion with magnets, I even tried 'dynamic shielding' - where the magnetic field would be shielded at designed intervals.

None worked. I've also tried many other perpetual concepts, some mine, and some from others, none worked.

Perpetual machines won't work, if they do, they are probably tapping from the background radiation of the universe or any ambient energy potential. Energy can't be created, it's always been around, you just figure out how to tap them! And I don't think it's that simple.
 
Sorry, double post. must have clicked thrice due to lag :(
 
Last edited:
sorry, double post. must have clicked twice due to lag

Although +1 for the effort and deciding to share. If only Universal laws are different and your concept worked, (which will not in our reality). You would have saved our energy problems by sharing it in such a very simple device that can be easily DIY'ed. Money-centric, greedy corporations if they had such idea instead, would have probably kept it secret, or made it too complicated, or incredibly expensive!
 
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When dealing with magnets, it is sometimes more intuitive to mentally replace the magnets with elastic cords (bungee cords). It should be clear why that design wouldn't work with elastic cords pulling in the same way as the magnets are.
 

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