Perpetual motion describes hypothetical machines that operate or produce useful work indefinitely and, more generally, hypothetical machines that produce more work or energy than they consume, whether they might operate indefinitely or not.

There is a scientific consensus that perpetual motion in an isolated system would violate the first law of thermodynamics and/or the second law of thermodynamics. Machines which extract energy from seemingly perpetual sources—such as ocean currents—are capable of moving "perpetually" (for as long as that energy source itself endures), but they are not considered to be perpetual motion machines because they are consuming energy from an external source and are not isolated systems. (In reality, no system can ever be a fully isolated system.) Similarly, machines which comply with both laws of thermodynamics but access energy from obscure sources are sometimes referred to as perpetual motion machines, although they also do not meet the standard criteria for the name.

Despite the fact that successful isolated system perpetual motion devices are physically impossible in terms of our current understanding of the laws of physics, the pursuit of perpetual motion remains popular.

Adjective

perpetual (not comparable)

1. Lasting forever, or for an indefinitely long time
2. Set up to be in effect or have tenure for an unlimited duration
3. Continuing uninterrupted
4. Flowering throughout the growing season
   • By means of artificial hybridization, practised for a series of years, he has succeeded in producing a race of carnations which are perpetual bloomers.
   • The hybrid perpetual roses as a rule require to be pruned to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground.

Derived terms

• perpetual motion

Perpetually Network and Perpetual Motion @ Perpetually.net
An informational site about Perpetually Network and Perpetual Motion. ... Machines which extract energy from seemingly perpetual sources such as ocean ...
www.perpetually.net

---

Perpetually Products (Calendar, Offers a Perpetually, Tone ...
Includes: 6 decks of perpetual motion cards 1 8-sided die ... Perpetual Motion Machines Perpetual Motion or Perpetually Perpetual Motion Tides Perpetual ...
www.perpetually.net/products.htm

---

Perpetually Answers (Calendar, Offers a Perpetually, Tone ...
Perpetually Answers. Includes Moisture, Dial, Displays, Perpetual Calendar ... the source of energy for the inhabitants in the perpetually ... Perpetual motion describes ...
www.perpetually.net/answers.htm

---

Perpetually Blogs (Calendar, Offers a Perpetually, Tone ...
Perpetual motion describes hypothetical machines that operate or produce ... Perpetual Traveler Perpetual Union Perpetual Wave Energy Perpetually Perpetually Gut ...
www.perpetually.net/blogs.htm

	New Location:
city:
state/region:
country:

---

---

• Orffyreus Returns
  orffyre.com
  Historical research and information on Johann Bessler, aka Orffyreus, and his demonstration of a series of claimed perpetual motion wheels in the early 1700's.
• All-Magnet Motors
  freeenergynews.com
  FreeEnergyNews.com's index of motor designs in which permanent magnets are the only motive force, featuring claims to working devices as well as ideas and flops.
• Flying Dutchman Projects
  fdp.nu
  Collection with ideas and experiments in the search of a device powered by permanent magnets only.