4 ms·
This got me wondering if it could be made to be entirely mechanical. Like, the approaching ball triggers something to move in front of the magnet 'switching it
by johnyzee 3y ago
This got me wondering if it could be made to be entirely mechanical. Like, the approaching ball triggers something to move in front of the magnet 'switching it off', then slides away again when the ball has passed, ready for the next run.
I think I just invented perpetual motion...
- tempestn 3y agoNo reason you couldn't do that as long as you just mean the actuation is purely mechanical. You'd still need an electromagnet and power source though, as it only works if you can turn the magnet on and off.
- p1mrx 3y agoWhat do you propose to use as an energy source?
- austinjp 3y agoJust build a second machine to power the first!
- djmips 3y agoclockwork wind-up. It would be bulky but maybe you could put a permanent magnet on a sled or wheel that would impart the necessary force on the metal ball as it approached but then and flipped repelled it. Would be difficult to make work smoothly or at all...
- MetallicDragon 3y agoAny mechanism that could switch the magnet on and off would require energy. E.g. you could put a magnet next to it with opposite poles, which would mostly cancel out the magnetic field, but would require a lot of force to push them together, which is work, and thus requires energy.
- quickthrower2 3y agoThe easiest perpetual motion is just drop a tennis ball. It is just that the perpetually moving thing is no longer the ball :-)