perpetual motion

English

Noun

perpetual motion (uncountable)

(physics) The motion of some hypothetical device that continues forever with no external input of energy, in violation of the laws of thermodynamics.

Usage notes

In the literal sense, perpetual motion can exist in an ideal isolated system, such as a single photon moving through empty space. However, a perpetual motion machine which produces work while retaining its kinetic energy is impossible under the known laws of physics.

Derived terms

perpetual motion machine

Translations

Translations

Finnish: ikuinen liike
French: mouvement perpétuel (fr) m
Latin: mōtus perpetuus m
Polish: wieczny ruch m, nieustanny ruch m
Russian: ве́чное движе́ние n (véčnoje dvižénije)

Further reading

perpetual motion on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Laws of thermodynamics on Wikipedia.Wikipedia