perpetual motion
Physics says no
Perpetual motion is continuous movement that sustains itself indefinitely without external energy input.
The concept appears most often in discussions of why it's impossible: a perpetual motion machine would violate fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
Figuratively, perpetual motion describes tireless activity: She's in perpetual motion from dawn to midnight.
Seemingly absurd truth
- infinityUnlimited extent or quantity
- eternityBoundless temporal existence
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- abstractCondensed version of text
metaphysical · speculative · Zeno · idealized · thought experiment · theoretical · perpetuity · timelessness
Impossible to acquire
- futileIncapable of producing results
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- illusoryFalsely appearing to exist
- unfeasibleNot capable of execution
impractical · chimerical · Sisyphean · unworkable · unachievable · fantasy · mythical · improbable
Science of heat-energy relationships
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- frictionlessHaving no resistance
- pendulumSuspended swinging weight
oscillation · torque · equilibrium · inertia · mechanics · kinetics · dynamics · energy
paradox
Seemingly absurd truth
- infinityUnlimited extent or quantity
- eternityBoundless temporal existence
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
abstract · metaphysical · speculative · Zeno · idealized · thought experiment · theoretical · perpetuity · timelessness · endless
unattainable
Impossible to acquire
- futileIncapable of producing results
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- illusoryFalsely appearing to exist
unfeasible · impractical · chimerical · Sisyphean · unworkable · unachievable · fantasy · mythical · improbable · unrealistic
thermodynamics
Science of heat-energy relationships
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- frictionlessHaving no resistance
pendulum · oscillation · torque · equilibrium · inertia · mechanics · kinetics · dynamics · energy · entropy
machine
Power-driven working device
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- deviceConstructed tool or machine
prototype · patent · blueprint · inventor · tinkering · wheel · gear · flywheel · crankshaft · automaton
- motionmovement, velocity, speed, momentum, acceleration
- impossibilitiessquare circle, squared circle, dividing by zero, logical paradox, self-contradiction
- debunked beliefsflat earth, phlogiston, spontaneous generation, geocentrism, phrenology
- pseudosciencehomeopathy, astrology, phrenology, numerology, palmistry
- Fringe Sciencecold fusion, alchemy, astrology, phrenology, cryptozoology
- impracticalitiesimpracticality, pipe dream, pie in the sky, castle in the air, fool's errand
perpetual motionstillness
Complete lack of motion
rest · stasis · immobility · cessation · halt
perpetual motionphysical reality
The material universe
entropy · friction · heat death · second law of thermodynamics · laws of thermodynamics
perpetual motionenergy loss
Power that escapes unused
equilibrium · thermal equilibrium · dissipation · running down · winding down
motion, motive, motivation, motivate, motionless, perpetual, motivated, motions, perpetuate