Why don't perpetual motion machines ever work? - Netta Schramm
16,588,871 Views
19,203 Questions Answered
Let’s Begin…
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.
Which of the laws of thermodynamics imposes a greater obstacle to the successful achievement of perpetual motion machines, and why: the first (energy cannot be created or destroyed) or the second (energy tends to "leech out" of systems)?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
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