Theoretically, if you wrapped the earth with a coil of wire would it produce energy?

Question

Just talking hypothetically, if you created a giant stationary coil of wire floating just above the earth, that circled the entire earth, could you utilize the magnetic field produced by the earth to produce free energy similar to a regular generator?

Also, would it start to gradually slow the earth's rotation due to couteractive forces?

By the same token: If you took a magnet and a coil of wire into space outside of the influence of ANY gravity, could you float the magnet inside the coil of wire, and assuming that you are 100% accurate, give the magnet a spin so that it would spin indefinitely while creating free energy? Or would the magnet gradually slow down due to opposing magnetic forces?

For both "experiments" disregard any other factors such as air resistance or gravity. Just interested in the basic factors involved with the theory....

Answer 1

The coil idea is possible, but the prevailing idea would be a space kite. Anchor it to the ground (insulated, of course) and have the cable extend all the way into orbit. The friction of eleven miles of air would create a vast amount of static. Collect the static off and use it as power.

The space magnet in theory would work. In practical application you could not keep it 100% centered at all times without some sort of guiding mechanism. That would create the dreaded drag you are trying to avoid. All applications will create Counter Electro Motive Force...CEMF.

The idea of a perpetual motion machine is a good one, but it is still just an idea. There ain't no free lunch.

Answer 2

Both of the questions should, theoretically, have the same answer. In both situations there is a magnet surrounded by a coil. If one won't work, neither will the other. Just as an add-in. If, in space, the magnet and the coil even out their energies, the same will happen with earth and the coil. Considering most of the inside of the earth is made up of nickel, volcanic eruptions would occur more frequently because the earth would no longer be magnetic. Therefore, theoretically, with no oxygen on earth to make friction and no magnetic force to hold the nickel and iron and rock down, the entire planet would be destroyed. I would rather have a planet to live on than free energy that we couldn't use.

Besides, is free energy really free if it costs everyone their lives?

Answer 3

Well, passing coiled wire through a magnetic field does produce electricity. Assuming the magnetic field of the earth extends far enough into space to hit your coil it would work, however you would probably spend more energy keeping the coil in orbit while transmitting the electricity for it to be worthwhile. Also there's no real way to transmit the electricity to earth without wires, which would be a real problem.

As to the second question I don't think so. If you used a round magnet and spun it inside a wire coil the changing polarities might do the job, but as far as I've found the method is generally to have the magnet move up and down through a coil of wire which wouldn't work unless there's something propelling it in the space scenario.

Answer 4

Considerations about the first problem: the stationery coil around the earth must be held in place by something (what?). But, theoretically, yes, we can obtain a generation of electricity. The sationery may be single wire ring parallel to earth rotation axis.
The earth rotation will be slowed by a electromagnetic counterforce proportional to the energy produced.
Experiments in the space were conducted to develop energy with a mass trained by means of a conductive cable by a Shuttle. In this case the electricity is produced by the differential electric potential by the main spaceship and the mass trained. (see tether experiments in NASA site).
The float magnet spinned in the space will be slowed by electromagnetic counterforce like the earth.

Answer 5

If you want to get free power from the rotation of the Earth, try tidal power. That is the closest thing we can get to perpetual motion, where the Moon drives the tides and the waves drive the generator. Eventually, the Earth will slow down and stop rotating, as the Moon already has, due to the losses of energy involved. But that isn't supposed to be for bazillions of years.

Tidal power is expensive, however. Not only do you have to put in all that machinery (moving parts wear out!) it is also attacked by the corrosive effects of sea water.

A better bet is to go for solar power. A few square miles of solar cells would provide more electicity than any oil coal or nuclear plant. Even nuclear energy is really just delayed solar energy, since the urianium supposedly came from a supernova long ago.

The easiest way to use solar power at home is passively. The cheapest way is by using a clothes line to dry your clothes. If you live in one of those hoity-toity neighborhoods where they will go to the neighborhood association and force you to take it down, I feel sorry for you.

The second easiest way is with a solar box cooker. They are cheap and easy to make, there are web sites full of instructions and plans. They are slow cookers, they can't burn anything, and they save you money two ways: 1, you don't have to turn on the oven in your kitchen and heat up the whole house. 2, you don't have to turn on the air conditioner afterward to cool the house off!

The third best way of using solar energy at home is to make a passive solar hot water heater. There are also web sites you can use to find out plans and diagrams for building these. Lots easier than putting magnets and coils in orbit, and without launching things into space, you won't be damaging the ozone layer anymore. Good luck!

Answer 6

In the first case, yes, although I'm not sure just how effective it would be. The Earth's spin axis is very close to its magnetic axis, and the magnetic field is not all that powerful. And you'd be more likely to have the coil speed up until it matches the Earth's rotation instead.

In the second case, the magnet would slow down and eventually stop. It would transfer its energy into the wire.

Answer 7

Why not a magnet is a magnet and a coil is a coil. Don't think it would slow the earth's rotation as there would be no friction.

Answer 8

Yes, but how would you you keep the coil of wire stationary reletive to the earth?