2006-09-04 05:47:47 · 11 answers · asked by Nick K 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If the slinky spring fell at the same rate that the escalator rose, you would get something more akin to "equilibrium" than perpetual motion.
Perpetual motion machines are supposed to be self-contained (no external energy source) and they don't exist in real life because of entropy.
The system you just described is not a perpetual motion machine as the escalator has to get energy from elsewhere. The slinky spring does not cause the escalator to go "up". The slinky spring simply makes use of the escalator going up to gain PE which it converts to KE when it descends.
2006-09-04 05:53:22 · answer #1 · answered by clon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it would be getting the energy to stay up from the escalator power source. As soon as the escalator runs out of power, the slinky goes down the bottom and stops.
Besides, the laws of thermodynamics say perpetual motion is impossible.
2006-09-04 05:50:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only in the same sense that the escalator is in a state of perpetual motion. But common usage of the 'perpetual motion' term regards a system which, once placed in motion, continues in motion indefinitely, without slowing down. Even more naive usage involves drawing power from that motion (such as by attaching an electric generator), still without slowing it down. We can reduce friction and get close to the first. The second violates the second law of thermodynamics.
2006-09-04 16:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The escalator could opt to be shifting on the comparable cost because of the fact the slinky. If the escalator grew to become into quicker, the slinky could be carried to the desirable. If the slinky grew to become into quicker, it could (at last) attain the backside. maybe shall we organize a slinky race on the worldwide's longest escalator at Tottenham court docket street tube station.
2016-12-18 04:41:41 · answer #4 · answered by kennie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! It is moving at the same speed as the escalator. Now if you could teach it to go uphill...
2006-09-04 05:58:36 · answer #5 · answered by trumain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, we all know that sometimes slinkies stop for no apparent reason other than to annoy us (damn them!!), but if you could rule out the "stop" factor.... It sounds like a great idea to me. You should try it ;)
2006-09-04 05:54:24 · answer #6 · answered by stormy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
because on each movement it loses some energy as sound
this decreases the amount of energy needed to flow a complete step
2006-09-04 08:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by tariq_mamu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
quite possible...as long as the speed of the escalator doesn't exceed the speed of the Slinky®...
2006-09-04 05:57:31 · answer #8 · answered by trystanq 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I could never get mine to go down a full set of stairs without nudging it constantly.
2006-09-04 05:53:38 · answer #9 · answered by dmh1948 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you even know what perpetual means?
2006-09-04 05:53:49 · answer #10 · answered by Wiley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋