Perpeptual energy toys

[Morgan_s]

Have you seen these things, if i can remember rightly it was something like a ball or disc magnetically stuck on a track and you gave it a push and it would keep going all day and night until you stopped it.

Does anyone know where they sell this type of thing?

Why is this technollogy not used to generate electricity on a large scale?

[Kayless]

Looks like you've solved the energy crisis mate!

[sandyRoe]

This is powered by sunlight, I think.

http://curiousminds.co.uk/solar-radiometer

[rowanwitch]

I think because these things only work if they can conserve their energy as soon as you start taking energy out of the system the object loses momentum...

[factor-fiction]

I can't remember that toy, Morgan_s- have you got a link?

[rojash]

Do you mean like this?
http://www.tintoyarca...netic-Gyro-Wheel.html

They don't run forever, just for a long time that's because the consist of a flywheel (into which you put energy, either by spinning it, or by tilting the track so that gravity acts on it), and low friction bearings.

And, as has been pointed out, as soon as you add a load (eg a generator), you are removing energy from the system, and they will stop almost immediately.

[jomifl]

You don't get owt for nowt, one of the basic laws of physics (northern version)

[bigbadmarty]

Why noy make a small water-wheel generator and fit it under the cold tap ?