This topic has been making the rounds on social media lately. It is always posted with exciting titles and claims to have discovered something “revolutionary”. It always comes down to some kind of perpetual motion machine, which is something that nobody has ever succeeded at. Leonardo Da Vinci had his concept, that didn’t work. It involved shifting the balance of weights on a wheel. What gets in the way is a basic law of physics. “energy can neither be created nor destroyed – only converted from one form of energy to another.” There is always someone who thinks that there is a way to bypass this, but as of yet, it has not been done. In any system where energy is expended there has to be an energy input or the whole thing comes to a stop. That energy can be converted from various forms by chemical, mechanical, electrical or nuclear means, but it is always there, and there is always a cost.
One of the latest myths that has been circulating is the concept of a motor and generator combination. In this idea, a motor is used to turn a generator, which then powers the motor. Essentially, the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, while the generator converts mechanical energy back into electrical energy. At first glance, this may seem like a revolutionary concept, but in reality, it is not as groundbreaking as it may appear. In fact, this concept is something that even beginning electrical students have come up with in the past. The idea behind it is simple: if both the motor and generator are 90% efficient, there will inevitably be energy losses due to various factors such as bearing friction, wire resistance, heat, and vibration. These losses accumulate with each loop around the system, resulting in a decrease in available energy. Even if it were possible to achieve 100% conversion efficiency, which is highly unlikely, the best outcome one could hope for is to keep the device running. However, if any power were to be tapped from the system to power other devices, the system would quickly come to a halt. This is because the generator, when running an electrical load, requires a greater amount of mechanical force to turn it. Similarly, a motor that faces a higher mechanical load will draw more electrical current. Merely changing the gear ratio would not solve this fundamental issue. To illustrate this point, let’s reflect on a demonstration I witnessed during my time as a Scout. A local ham radio operator (WA6RJA) had built a contraption that consisted of a car alternator attached to an exercise bike, with the intention of powering a light bulb. A meter was also included to measure the generated voltage. As soon as the switch was flipped to illuminate the bulb, pedaling became significantly more challenging. This demonstrated that a generator running an electrical load demands a greater mechanical force to function properly. The same principle applies to motors. If a motor is subjected to a higher mechanical load, it will draw more electrical current. No matter how one adjusts the gear ratio, this unavoidable truth remains. In order for this motor and generator combination to work effectively, the devices would need to output more energy than what is put into them. However, this contradicts one of the most fundamental laws of physics: energy cannot be created. Unfortunately, many hoax versions of this device often involve the use of batteries, which convert chemical energy into electrical energy, or hidden power supplies that give the illusion of the device running smoothly. These deceptive tactics are employed to trick people into believing in the feasibility of this concept. In conclusion, while the motor and generator combination may seem intriguing, it is important to understand the limitations and scientific principles that render it impractical. Energy losses are inevitable, and no amount of gear adjustments or hidden power sources can change this fact. It is essential to approach such claims with skepticism and a critical understanding of the laws of physics.
There is always and energy conversion, not creation.
Battery – Chemical to electrical
Plant – Solar to chemical
Fire – Chemical to Light/Heat
Generator – Mechanical to Electrical
Motor – Electrical to Mechanical
Solar – Light to Electrical
Horse – Chemical (food) to heat/motion
Nuclear – Matter to heat (Yes, matter is a form of energy E=mc^2)
The advertisements promoting this kind of product are designed to generate excitement and make grand promises such as “fulfill all your power requirements,” “disconnect from the grid,” or even “end your reliance on electrical companies.” Often some “authority” (Nikola Tesla, Elon Musk, Stanley Meyer, etc) is cited to give the appearance of credibility. These claims are carefully crafted to evoke strong emotions and exploit people’s lack of knowledge in the field. However, it is crucial to understand that this is not a revolutionary technology, despite what the ads may suggest. If you fall prey to their persuasive tactics and decide to invest your hard-earned money in their plans to construct this supposed energy solution, you will inevitably face disappointment. The truth is, no matter how diligently you follow their instructions, you won’t be able to make it work. It is an unfortunate reality that these deceptive companies thrive on taking advantage of unsuspecting individuals who are seeking a way to become more self-sufficient in their energy consumption. Should you attempt to request a refund under their “money-back guarantee” policy, prepare yourself for a frustrating ordeal. These companies often employ tactics to make the process difficult, or worse yet, they may vanish into thin air, leaving you without any recourse. So, before you consider succumbing to their false claims, it is essential to be aware of the risks involved. One common ploy these fraudulent entities employ is sharing videos featuring individuals who claim to have successfully built and used these energy systems. These videos often include convincing testimonials, making it seem like a genuine breakthrough. However, be warned: these individuals are fabricating their stories. Their accounts are as unreliable as the legendary “x-ray glasses” that were once sold in magazines, promising the ability to see through objects, like your hand, or women’s clothing. Just like those glasses, the energy solution they are promoting will never function as promised. It is unfortunate that there are dishonest companies out there preying on the hopes and dreams of individuals who genuinely desire to reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources. These unscrupulous entities mislead people by exploiting their emotions and lack of knowledge. To protect yourself, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and seek advice from reputable sources before investing your hard-earned money in any energy product or technology. Remember, genuine advancements in renewable energy are being made by reputable companies and organizations. By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid falling victim to these deceptive schemes and instead support legitimate efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Another interesting article on the subject
The parade of perpetual motion machines appears to be ongoing. Several new variations of the gravitational motor (as shown above) have surfaced. This device is a classic—I recall seeing a similar version on display at a museum during my childhood. In addition, there are now more examples of motor/generator designs being introduced. It seems the fascination with perpetual motion has never truly faded, as enthusiasts and inventors continue to introduce novel concepts and reimagined designs. Lately, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of gravitational motors, each variation boasting slight modifications and imaginative tweaks intended to overcome the universal challenge of energy loss from friction and other inefficiencies. Nostalgia plays a role as well—these new devices often echo the iconic models that graced science museums and public exhibitions decades ago. In fact, I vividly remember my awe as a child, gazing at a nearly identical gravitational motor elegantly rotating in a display case, promising endless movement under the mysterious force of gravity. Moreover, the landscape of perpetual motion has expanded beyond gravity-based devices. Numerous speculative motor and generator concepts have been introduced, each hoping to capture the elusive dream of energy without input. These designs range from intricate electromagnetic arrangements to cleverly weighted levers and wheels, all following the same hope: to sidestep the limitations dictated by physics. The ongoing proliferation of such inventions is a testament to human creativity and the persistent allure of achieving the impossible. While scientific consensus remains firm—perpetual motion defies the laws of thermodynamics—the steady stream of new proposals highlights our undying optimism and ingenuity, as well as our collective yearning for a breakthrough that could rewrite the rules of energy forever.
Added to that are so-called “engines” that use magnets or springs to drive a crankshaft. These mechanisms tend to have numerous visible moving parts, which can give the impression that there is a productive interaction between the flywheel and the springs or magnets. However, what’s often misunderstood is that it requires more energy to compress or stretch the springs or to oppose the magnets than you can ever recover from the system. Such devices are frequently portrayed in videos played in reverse, making it appear as if they are accelerating when, in reality, they are actually slowing down. Expanding on this, many enthusiast inventors and amateur engineers become fascinated with the idea of designing “free energy” engines by utilizing the apparent forces provided by magnets or the stored energy in mechanical springs. These engines often incorporate intricate frameworks consisting of levers, gears, rotating flywheels, and carefully arranged magnets or coils. At first glance, the interconnected components can seem to operate in harmony, exchanging forces and momentum in a way that looks as if the system could sustain itself indefinitely without additional energy input. In particular, the visual motion of the flywheel—spinning steadily while being intermittently pushed or pulled by the magnetic or spring-driven arms—contributes to the illusion that continuous motion is being achieved through clever engineering alone. Despite these compelling visuals, the fundamental laws of physics, specifically the conservation of energy, dictate that such a system cannot output more energy than is supplied to it. When a spring is compressed or stretched, or when magnets are forced together or apart, energy must be put into the system—this energy is stored temporarily and then released, but never amplified. The resistance encountered when manipulating springs or magnetic fields is always slightly greater than any energy you can extract on their return, due to inevitable losses from friction, air resistance, and imperfect materials. As a result, the device inevitably runs down once the initial input energy is depleted. Moreover, many online videos and demonstrations that purport to show these perpetual motion engines working rely on subtle trickery or optical illusions. A common method of misrepresentation is reversing the playback of a video: when a machine is actually losing speed and coming to a halt, reversing the footage makes it look as if the device is gathering speed and operating indefinitely. This clever editing can easily deceive viewers who are unaware of the underlying engineering principles, fueling persistent myths about the possibility of building machines that violate the laws of thermodynamics. In reality, no such device has ever been demonstrated to work as described under independent scientific scrutiny, and the pursuit of true perpetual motion remains firmly in the realm of impossibility as understood by modern physics.
Another popular hoax that frequently circulates online and on social media platforms involves the use of magnets in supposed “free energy” devices. Many people are led to believe that magnets themselves are mysterious power sources that can generate electricity with no external input, functioning almost like a perpetual motion machine. These claims are often presented in viral videos or misleading articles that appear scientific on the surface, but lack any real basis in established physics. In reality, the generation of electricity with magnets relies on the principle of electromagnetic induction, a phenomenon first discovered by Michael Faraday in the early 19th century. According to Faraday’s Law of Induction, an electric current is produced when a conductive metal coil experiences a change in the magnetic field around it. This change can be achieved by moving either the magnet relative to the coil or vice versa, which effectively “cuts” through magnetic lines of force—technically known as magnetic flux. This movement causes electrons in the metal to flow, creating a measurable current. However, the hoax videos attempting to demonstrate otherwise typically show a magnet glued or taped to a stationary piece of metal, wire, or coil. The claim is that simply having the magnet present, without any motion, is enough to create a steady flow of electricity. This is simply not true. If you were to connect the coil to an oscilloscope, a device that visually displays electrical signals, you would observe a brief voltage spike only at the exact moment when the coil or the magnet is moved. Once everything is stationary, the signal disappears—no more current is generated as long as there is no movement. The energy generated in such systems originates from the mechanical motion involved, not from the magnet itself. To further clarify, think of a hand-crank flashlight: when you turn the crank, you’re rotating a magnet within a coil, and that motion generates electricity to power the light. Stop cranking, and the light goes out. This is a clear, practical example of electromagnetic induction in action. Magnets play an essential role in the process by providing the necessary magnetic field, but they do not act as energy sources on their own. In summary, despite what some hoax videos or unscientific websites may suggest, magnets cannot be used to supply a continuous source of electric power while sitting motionless. The real power source, in all genuine cases of electromagnetic induction, is the movement—be it manually turning a crank, the spinning of a turbine in a generator, or any other form of kinetic energy. Magnets are simply one part of the process, and not the elusive, limitless power source that some like to imagine.
There is also the escape route that hoaxers use to avoid an actual debate about their impossible machines: Zero Point Energy. This concept frequently appears as a plot device in many Science Fiction stories, where inventors or protagonists miraculously tap into an endless reserve of power derived from the fabric of the universe itself. In these fictional worlds, Zero Point Energy is often portrayed as a limitless, clean, and easily accessible source of energy, capable of revolutionizing society and solving all of humanity’s problems at the flick of a switch. Characters in these stories may use it to power starships, cities, or even entire planets, all with no apparent drawbacks or limitations. However, the reality is much less dramatic. Despite the alluring fantasies woven by storytellers, Zero Point Energy remains firmly outside the boundaries of our current scientific abilities. In the field of quantum physics, the term describes the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical physical system may have—essentially, the background energy present in empty space even at absolute zero temperature. While this phenomenon is both fascinating and fundamental to our understanding of quantum mechanics, all reputable scientists agree that we have not found any practical method to tap into or harness this energy in any meaningful way. There are no existing devices that extract usable energy from the quantum vacuum, and the amount potentially available (should we ever figure out how to access it) is still highly speculative and likely to be vanishingly small for practical purposes. Whenever proponents of impossible machines face criticism or are asked to provide evidence, they often invoke Zero Point Energy as a magical explanation for how their devices could theoretically function. This invocation serves as a convenient escape route, conveniently sidestepping the need for rigorous demonstration or scientific scrutiny. Ultimately, it is important to recognize that while Zero Point Energy is an intriguing scientific idea and a staple of creative fiction, it is not a viable source of power today, nor is it generally believed among physicists that it ever will be. Thus, claims made by hoaxers about harnessing Zero Point Energy are firmly rooted in science fiction rather than science fact.