Are magnets an unlimited source of energy?

Question

I've seen toys that levitate and spin objects just by using magnetism, why can't we tap this source of energy to generate power?

Answer 1

Because a magnet is NOT a source of energy. The levitating toy is just hanging there, and not moving about. If it was hanging from a rope attached to the ceiling, would you consider a rope an unlimited source of energy?
For the record, variation of a magnetic field is what is driving electric motor, but one needs electricity to reverse polarity in the motor, or it will stop after a fraction of a turn is done.

Answer 2

This is from the wiki cite
"The seemingly mysterious ability of magnets to influence motion at a distance without any apparent energy source has long appealed to inventors. Unfortunately, a constant magnetic field does not do work because the force it exerts on a charged particle is always at right angles to its motion; a changing field can do work, but requires energy to sustain. A "fixed" magnet can do work, but energy is dissipated in the process, typically weakening the magnet's strength over time. Thus, when a magnet does work by lifting an iron weight, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Once the iron hits the magnet its kinetic energy is converted to heat and sound. In order to release further energy, the iron must be moved away from the magnet. This converts the energy of your arm to potential energy again. Since the energy of parting the magnet and iron is identical to the energy released as the magnet and iron come together, no net energy can be gained by changing the iron - magnet distance."

Answer 3

We can - but nothing is free, in fact you can't break even. A magnet of a coil must move in order to generate electricity. Lets say you have a motor connected to power a generator, which recharges a battery that turns the motor. Since there is a loss involved, called Entropy, it will not work. The best way I've heard of is to put a coil on the moon. Then as it orbits the earth, it will generate electricity. But remember - nothing is free - eventually the moon will slow down and crash into the earth.

There are 3 Laws of Thermodynamics - put simple they say;

Law 1 - you cannot win in the game
Law 2 - you cannot break even in the game
Law 3 - you cannot get out of the game

Answer 4

Magnet is not an unlimited source of energy. What you see may be the results of action and reaction of the force you apply to the magnet.

To use magnet to generate the electricity, we need to provide movement and motions. That is a form of energy.

Right now, we are using magnets to generate power, regardless it is the hydro plants or power plants or nuclear plants, we uses generators with magnets to produce electricity.

Even inside a car, we use magnets inside a alternator to charge the car battery.

Answer 5

I work at a power generation facility, and we use already spinning magnets to generate electricity. About 500 megawatts. It does take some energy to spin the magnets though.

Answer 6

Magnets only provide an unlimited source of people trying to get energy out of them.

Answer 7

no longer in accordance to our present day (and extremely experimentally established) awareness of thermodynamics. no longer something is impossible in technology yet there's no longer one shred of evidence that loose skill would be had. The rules of thermodynamics have held up thoroughly below scrutiny so at this element this is annoying to have self belief they'd be erroneous. playstation : to those that think of our photograph voltaic gadget is an occasion of perpetual action. this isn't any longer. some billion years isn't perpetuity and at last the gadget will crumple as its skill is being switched over slowly right into a diverse form. Perpetual means continually and not something is often.

Answer 8

no they can't, even permanent magnets.
Permanent mganets can only provide magnetic field for a period of time, not permanently