Free Energy?

[AidanMcfay]

So im sitting in my Astronomy class(we each have computers) and one of the other students has brought up the topic of "Free energy" after about 5 mins of argueing back and forth most of which I couldnt really follow, what is this Free energy?

[KrauserKrauser]

What is Free Energy?

Bullshit. That's what it is.

[Lord Zentei]

So im sitting in my Astronomy class(we each have computers) and one of the other students has brought up the topic of "Free energy" after about 5 mins of argueing back and forth most of which I couldnt really follow, what is this Free energy?

What is the exact context?

Free energy in physics is the total amount of thermodynamic energy in a system that can be converted into work.

[Lord Zentei]

What is Free Energy?

Bullshit. That's what it is.

And there is "free" energy of the kind KrauserKrauser is speaking about, i.e. perpetual motion machines.


Or, in engineering and economics, "free energy" can refer to renewable energy or energy that can be utilized directly from the surroundings, like wind power.

So we really need more context to say...

[AidanMcfay]

Its in context of perpetual motion. I thought it was bullshit when I heard it but wanted confirmation.

[Lord Zentei]

Its in context of perpetual motion. I thought it was bullshit when I heard it but wanted confirmation.

Consider it confirmed. It's bullshit.

[KrauserKrauser]

See the Mythbusters episodes about it, confirmed as bullshit on multiple levels.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

So im sitting in my Astronomy class(we each have computers) and one of the other students has brought up the topic of "Free energy" after about 5 mins of argueing back and forth most of which I couldnt really follow, what is this Free energy?

"Free energy" is a ruse used by assorted quacks, woo-woos, and charlatans to part gullible suckers from their money. Visit James Randi's website and search for "Free energy" and you'll see what I mean.

[Molyneux]

Strictly speaking, there's a lot of free energy in the environment. It's known as solarpower, wind power, geothermal, hydroelectric...

We have to work to HARNESS that energy, but it's there.

My personal favorite 'free energy' bit is the one involving building a tower of conductive, superstrong materials into LEO and letting it build up a charge, then using that for electricity. Given my incredibly slim understanding of E&M, it might actually work, if we could develop building materials strong enough (and lace the thing with conductive wire).

[KrauserKrauser]

Yeah, I've heard of that before. I've also heard that in case of a solar flare, you just channeled one fuckton of energy that would normally have been directed away because of Earth's magnetic field.

Not sure if that's accurate, but such a large surge can't be a good thing.

[Molyneux]

Yeah, I've heard of that before. I've also heard that in case of a solar flare, you just channeled one fuckton of energy that would normally have been directed away because of Earth's magnetic field.

Not sure if that's accurate, but such a large surge can't be a good thing.

That would be call for what's known as 'design tolerances', I think.

[General Zod]

Strictly speaking, there's a lot of free energy in the environment. It's known as solarpower, wind power, geothermal, hydroelectric...

We have to work to HARNESS that energy, but it's there.

My personal favorite 'free energy' bit is the one involving building a tower of conductive, superstrong materials into LEO and letting it build up a charge, then using that for electricity. Given my incredibly slim understanding of E&M, it might actually work, if we could develop building materials strong enough (and lace the thing with conductive wire).

Since that energy has to come from somewhere, and it runs out eventually, it's technically not "free". Regardless of how massive it might seem to us humans. Nothing is immune to the laws of entropy after all.

[Molyneux]

Strictly speaking, there's a lot of free energy in the environment. It's known as solarpower, wind power, geothermal, hydroelectric...

We have to work to HARNESS that energy, but it's there.

My personal favorite 'free energy' bit is the one involving building a tower of conductive, superstrong materials into LEO and letting it build up a charge, then using that for electricity. Given my incredibly slim understanding of E&M, it might actually work, if we could develop building materials strong enough (and lace the thing with conductive wire).

Since that energy has to come from somewhere, and it runs out eventually, it's technically not "free". Regardless of how massive it might seem to us humans. Nothing is immune to the laws of entropy after all.

I still have hopes that we'll find a "The Gods Themselves..."-type workaround for that.

[AidanMcfay]

Strictly speaking, there's a lot of free energy in the environment. It's known as solarpower, wind power, geothermal, hydroelectric...

We have to work to HARNESS that energy, but it's there.

My personal favorite 'free energy' bit is the one involving building a tower of conductive, superstrong materials into LEO and letting it build up a charge, then using that for electricity. Given my incredibly slim understanding of E&M, it might actually work, if we could develop building materials strong enough (and lace the thing with conductive wire).

Since that energy has to come from somewhere, and it runs out eventually, it's technically not "free". Regardless of how massive it might seem to us humans. Nothing is immune to the laws of entropy after all.

That sums up my understanding of Energy. Hence why when he started speaking my bullshit alarm went off, but i decided to check here.