In attempts to invent a "perpetual motion" machine the magnet and its power have played a role of no mean magnitude. Ill-starred "perpetual motion" machine inventors have tried might and main to apply the magnet to this end. Here is one such project described back in 17th century by Englishmen John Wilkins, the Bishop of Chester.
A Powerful magnet A is placed on the top of the pillar leaned against which is two inclined grooves M and N, one above the other. The upper groove M has a small hole C at the top, while the lower groove N is curved.

The inventor claimed that the arrangement would operate as follows. A small iron ball B was to be placed on the upper groove. Attracted by the magnet A, it ought to roll upwards. On reaching the hole, it should roll down, be carried up by inertial along the curve D, and find itself again on the upper groove M, from whence, again attracted by the magnet, it should again roll up and drop through the hole, roll down and on to the upper groove,
ad infinitum.This the inventor conjectured, would produce "perpetual motion".
What do you think ? Will it ?
Labels: friday special, funphysics, thinktank