Second Law of Thermodynamics

What is the second law of thermodynamics? The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that "in all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves the system, the potential energy of the state will always be less than that of the starting state." This is also commonly referred to as entropy. A watch spring-driven watch will run until the potential energy in the spring is converted, and not again until energy is reapplied to the spring to rewind it. A car that has run out of gas will not run again until you walk 10 miles to a gas station and refuel the car. Once the potential energy locked in carbohydrates is converted into kinetic energy (energy in use or motion), the organism will get no more until energy is input again. In the process of energy transfer, some energy will dissipate as heat. Entropy is a measure of disorder: cells are NOT disordered and so have low entropy. The flow of energy maintains order and life. Entropy wins when organisms cease to take in energy and die.

First Law of Thermodynamics

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics? First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another. The First Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation) states that energy is always conserved, it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another.

What is Perpetual Motion?

Perpetual motion is motion that continues forever without any external  source of energy. This is impossible to ever achieve because of friction and other “losses of energy.” (The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.) A perpetual motion machine is a theoretical machine that can do work indefinitely without an energy source. This kind of machine is inaccessible, because it would defy the first and/or second law of thermodynamics.

Some failed examples: