perpetual motion machines
Energy from nothing
Perpetual motion machines are hypothetical devices that would operate indefinitely without an external energy source, violating fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
None has ever been built, though inventors have pursued the idea for centuries.
The phrase often appears in dismissals of impractical schemes: His business plan is basically a perpetual motion machine.
Incapable of occurring
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- futileIncapable of producing results
- chimericalImaginary and unrealistic
utopian · fantasy · dream · fool's errand · wild goose chase · pipe dream · tilting at windmills · hopeless
Quantified chaos in systems
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- closed systemExchange-free bounded region
- second lawEntropy inevitably rises
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
heat death · Carnot · irreversibility · dissipation · efficiency · friction · energy loss · equilibrium
Deliberate deception for effect
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- free energyWork-extractable energy measure
Hobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- workshopPlace for making or learning
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
prototype · da Vinci · amateur · garage inventor · mad scientist · obsessive · dreamer · schemer
Rotating circular frame
- pendulumSuspended swinging weight
- self-windingPowered by wearer's motion
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
flywheel · counterweight · lever · pulley · ratchet · cam · springs · bearings
impossible
Incapable of occurring
- unattainableImpossible to acquire
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- futileIncapable of producing results
chimerical · utopian · fantasy · dream · fool's errand · wild goose chase · pipe dream · tilting at windmills · hopeless · idealistic
entropy
Quantified chaos in systems
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- closed systemExchange-free bounded region
- second lawEntropy inevitably rises
energy conservation · heat death · Carnot · irreversibility · dissipation · efficiency · friction · energy loss · equilibrium · Kelvin
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
free energy · snake oil · debunked · fraudulent · crank · quackery · scam
tinkerer
Hobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- workshopPlace for making or learning
blueprint · prototype · da Vinci · amateur · garage inventor · mad scientist · obsessive · dreamer · schemer · ingenious
wheel
Rotating circular frame
- pendulumSuspended swinging weight
- self-windingPowered by wearer's motion
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
gears · flywheel · counterweight · lever · pulley · ratchet · cam · springs · bearings · axle
perpetual motion machinesheat engines
Devices converting thermal energy
steam engines · internal combustion engines · electric motors · hydraulic systems
perpetual motion machinesbatteries
Portable energy storage units
solar panels · nuclear reactors · wind turbines · generators · fuel cells
perpetual, perpetually, perpetuate, perpetuated, perpetuating, perpetuation, perpetuity, motion, motions