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TED-Ed

Why don't perpetual motion machines ever work? - Netta Schramm

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20,055 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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Perpetual motion machines — devices that can do work indefinitely without any external energy source — have captured many inventors’ imaginations because they could totally transform our relationship with energy. There’s just one problem: they don’t work. Why not? Netta Schramm describes the pitfalls of perpetual motion machines.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Netta Schramm
Director
Jeremiah Dickey
Script Editor
Eleanor Nelsen
Sound Designer
Stephen LaRosa
Associate Producer
Jessica Ruby
Content Producer
Gerta Xhelo
Editorial Producer
Alex Rosenthal
Narrator
Addison Anderson

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