Idea for a perpetual motion machine

[RandomPoster]

Let's say we dig a tunnel all the way from one spot on the earth all the way through to the other side. Then, we seal the tunnel and turn it into an 8,000 mile long vacuum tube with no air in it. If you then inject an object into the vacuum, gravity will pull it towards the center of the earth. It will continue to accelerate until it hits the center and then begin to gradually decellerate until it gets to exactly the same distance it started out at and begin falling in the opposite direction, eventually winding up where it started and then begin to fall agin. As long as the "machine" remians intact, wouldn't it theoretically qualify as perpetual motion?

 

[WinterBorn]

No. Each time it reached the end of its "fall" and started back the other way would be slightly less than the previous trip.

 

[alang1216]

Let's say we dig a tunnel all the way from one spot on the earth all the way through to the other side. Then, we seal the tunnel and turn it into an 8,000 mile long vacuum tube with no air in it. If you then inject an object into the vacuum, gravity will pull it towards the center of the earth. It will continue to accelerate until it hits the center and then begin to gradually decellerate until it gets to exactly the same distance it started out at and begin falling in the opposite direction, eventually winding up where it started and then begin to fall agin. As long as the "machine" remians intact, wouldn't it theoretically qualify as perpetual motion?

Yes but it would not be of any use since if you got work out of it it would not be perpetual anymore. Our planet has been spinning for billions of years and, although slowing, will spin for billions more. Theoretically not perpetual motion but for all practical purposes, perpetual motion.

 

[WinterBorn]

Let's say we dig a tunnel all the way from one spot on the earth all the way through to the other side. Then, we seal the tunnel and turn it into an 8,000 mile long vacuum tube with no air in it. If you then inject an object into the vacuum, gravity will pull it towards the center of the earth. It will continue to accelerate until it hits the center and then begin to gradually decellerate until it gets to exactly the same distance it started out at and begin falling in the opposite direction, eventually winding up where it started and then begin to fall agin. As long as the "machine" remians intact, wouldn't it theoretically qualify as perpetual motion?

Yes but it would not be of any use since if you got work out of it it would not be perpetual anymore. Our planet has been spinning for billions of years and, although slowing, will spin for billions more. Theoretically not perpetual motion but for all practical purposes, perpetual motion.

A perpetual motion machine is impossible. It is a nice intellectual exercise, but nothing more.

 

[alang1216]

Let's say we dig a tunnel all the way from one spot on the earth all the way through to the other side. Then, we seal the tunnel and turn it into an 8,000 mile long vacuum tube with no air in it. If you then inject an object into the vacuum, gravity will pull it towards the center of the earth. It will continue to accelerate until it hits the center and then begin to gradually decellerate until it gets to exactly the same distance it started out at and begin falling in the opposite direction, eventually winding up where it started and then begin to fall agin. As long as the "machine" remians intact, wouldn't it theoretically qualify as perpetual motion?

Yes but it would not be of any use since if you got work out of it it would not be perpetual anymore. Our planet has been spinning for billions of years and, although slowing, will spin for billions more. Theoretically not perpetual motion but for all practical purposes, perpetual motion.

A perpetual motion machine is impossible. It is a nice intellectual exercise, but nothing more.

Perpetual motion is possible since a body in motion remains in motion unless acted on by an external source. Newton's first law. Getting it to do any work is another issue and that is what is impossible.

 

[RandomPoster]

No. Each time it reached the end of its "fall" and started back the other way would be slightly less than the previous trip.

Only if air resistance were slowing it down. In a vacuum, there would be no air resistance.

 

[Natural Citizen]

That is all.

 

[WinterBorn]

No. Each time it reached the end of its "fall" and started back the other way would be slightly less than the previous trip.

Only if air resistance were slowing it down. In a vacuum, there would be no air resistance.

Gravity from all sides would slow it down.

 

[Peach]

Let's say we dig a tunnel all the way from one spot on the earth all the way through to the other side. Then, we seal the tunnel and turn it into an 8,000 mile long vacuum tube with no air in it. If you then inject an object into the vacuum, gravity will pull it towards the center of the earth. It will continue to accelerate until it hits the center and then begin to gradually decellerate until it gets to exactly the same distance it started out at and begin falling in the opposite direction, eventually winding up where it started and then begin to fall agin. As long as the "machine" remians intact, wouldn't it theoretically qualify as perpetual motion?

Yes but it would not be of any use since if you got work out of it it would not be perpetual anymore. Our planet has been spinning for billions of years and, although slowing, will spin for billions more. Theoretically not perpetual motion but for all practical purposes, perpetual motion.

A perpetual motion machine is impossible. It is a nice intellectual exercise, but nothing more.

A nagging spouse comes close however.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

The only perpetual motion machine on the planet?
The Sailboat.
Of course you might find yourself in the doldrums but the wind will eventually blow.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

My favorite perpetual motion video. I honestly cannot figure out why this particular machine would not work. I may try to build this