Free Energy?

[Zeke]

Just so everyone knows, I'm 99.999% certain this is a hoax (or misunderstanding, whatever). On that note, everyone keeps talking about the laws of physics being broken. The 'Laws' of Thermodynamics are empirical laws derived from experience (granted, that's mounds upon mounds of experimental evidence). There is no theoretical basis that says this must be. That is why people keep looking for the loophole.

In any case, I'm sure it's bunk. They may be getting more energy out in one form than they put in, but the likely situation is they have energy going in that they don't know about.

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

Just so everyone knows, I'm 99.999% certain this is a hoax (or misunderstanding, whatever). On that note, everyone keeps talking about the laws of physics being broken. The 'Laws' of Thermodynamics are empirical laws derived from experience (granted, that's mounds upon mounds of experimental evidence). There is no theoretical basis that says this must be. That is why people keep looking for the loophole.

In any case, I'm sure it's bunk. They may be getting more energy out in one form than they put in, but the likely situation is they have energy going in that they don't know about.

A theoretical model (read: mathematical statement) can never be proven by itself. Gödel proved that 1931.

 

[Abstract]

^^ What equation did he use to prove that?

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

^^ What equation did he use to prove that?

lol... good one.
Google Gödel's impossibility theorem if you want to know more. The proof is a bit abstract and if you haven't studied logic, I would recommend getting a book in basic logic first.
Bascially and very inaccurate, Gödel stated that it was impossible to make any axiom free statements.

 

[whooleytoo]

Just so everyone knows, I'm 99.999% certain this is a hoax (or misunderstanding, whatever).

Quite a difference there - between hoax and misunderstanding!

In any case, I'm sure it's bunk. They may be getting more energy out in one form than they put in, but the likely situation is they have energy going in that they don't know about.

It's that latter case that's most interesting. I don't believe they've "violated the laws of physics" either, but there may be an external force they haven't considered, and that in itself could be very interesting.

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

I don't believe they've "violated the laws of physics" either, but there may be an external force they haven't considered, and that in itself could be very interesting.

I agreed, but sadly enough it is probably something very trivial. Most "perpetuum mobiles" rather fade away into obscurity, than getting exposed for where they failed. That is unfortunate in a way, since people seem to forget the endless string of "miracle machines" that have been suggested over time. This in turn opens up for new "pathbreaking inventions".