Is perpetual motion possible?
Is free unlimited energy possible?
For many years scientists and backyard inventors have persued the idea of 'free energy'. They dream of a machine that spins forever in perpetual motion, creating energy as it turns. While in theory it is possible to achieve perpetual motion (a machine that spins forever) it is EXTREMELY difficult. If you try to take energy out of such a machine the concept then becomes impossible, and here's why.
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Our universe is governed by certain physical laws and forces. Understanding the laws of the universe has given rise to the breakthroughs and possibilities we see before us today. Some you may know better than others, such as the law of gravity. The law I would like to talk about is the law of the conservation of energy. This law states that energy can be transformed into various types, such as kinetic (movement), heat, sound etc. Yet it also states that energy can niether be created nor destroyed. In other words, the energy put into a system, is always greater than or equal to the energy taken out of that system.
Imagine if we had a spinning wheel, which in theory spins forever. All the energy in the wheel is kinetic, which causes the wheel to spin. If we attach an alternator to take energy out of the system then the wheel would lose kinetic energy. This would cause the wheel to slow down and eventually stop. Thus we don't have 'free energy'.
As I mentioned earlier it is theoretically possible to create perpetual motion (a wheel that forever spins) and I also stated it is extremely difficult. This is because the system cannot afford to lose even the smallest amount of energy or the wheel would start to slow down. This means all frictional forces must be eliminated and no energy can be lost as sound or heat. This happens because we are taking energy out of the system.
Some people have claimed to have achieved this type of motion yet no one has proved it thus far. It has taken over the lives of many inventors and drove them insane. Yet if they did their physics homework they could have seen it is impossible from the start. Although it is a difficult practice I find it very interesting and lots of ideas have been raised around the subject. If you are intrigued visit this list of 'unworkable machines'.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Monday, 21 May 2012
How Do We Get Nuclear Power?
First I will talk a little about how we produce nuclear energy, so we can better understand exactly what happens in the nuclear power stations. Then we can draw some conclusions as to whether it is safe or dangerous.
About Nuclear Power:
Our level of technology currently enables us to produce energy from the process of 'nuclear fission'. Even though we have been researching 'nuclear fusion' (which yeilds more potential energy than fission) it is extremely costly and difficult to produce energy by fusion. Which means for now we have to settle for fission.
What is Nuclear Power?
Nuclear fission is triggered when we bombard certain elements with nuetrons (elements such as uranium). The basic principle is that when an atom undergoes fission it splits into smaller atoms which are shot out at high speeds. The energy is harnessed from the heat produced by these high speed fragments. These smaller fragments can go on to cause further fission, often known as a 'chain reaction'. This is how the infamous atom bomb works, on the principle of Einsteins famous equations. Yet in a controlled environment we get nuclear power generation.
What is a Nuclear Power Plant?
With this in mind, playing with nuclear energy is not to be taken lightly. It can kill thousands in an instant. So engineers have developed many safety features to stop such catastrophic events. A nuclear power plant is well built to withstand such dangerous activities.
This includes placing the reactor core in a thick concrete building, which absorbs radiation given off by the reactions. The reactor itself is made of thick steel to withstand the high pressure and temperature in the core as well as absorbing most of the radiation. Every reactor has an emergency shutdown system designed to stop fission completely.
The world has experienced many nuclear disasters so far and I believe more will come. You may have heard of Chernobyl, in the Ukraine. This disaster happened in 1986, releasing harmful radiation into the atmosphere which led to a permanent evacuation of everyone in the surrounding area. Chernobyl today is a ghost town. It was caused when the operators were testing a reactor to find out if the coolant pumps would keep operating in the event of a loss of power until emergency diesel generators took over. To carry out this test the safety systems to shut down the reactor in an emergency were switched off! Such an ill informed decision that led to a massive explosion in the reactor core. The fuel rods melted while the reactor cap was blown off releasing radioactive fission products into the atmosphere. As a result 4000 people were killed immediately, whilst a massive 2 BILLION worldwide have been affected due to radiation/birth defects/cancer etc.
In my opinion nuclear energy can be safe but we must proceed with extreme caution as the potential dangers are enormous. There may even be unknown effects associated with radiation. Not to mention that the waste produced is extremely bad for the environment. If we could find ways around these problems then I would back nuclear power, but for me it is too environmentally toxic with our current levels of technology. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy and do you have any solutions. Maybe we could fire the waste at the sun? However that would require lots of energy. Leave a comment!
About Nuclear Power:
Our level of technology currently enables us to produce energy from the process of 'nuclear fission'. Even though we have been researching 'nuclear fusion' (which yeilds more potential energy than fission) it is extremely costly and difficult to produce energy by fusion. Which means for now we have to settle for fission.
What is Nuclear Power?
Nuclear fission is triggered when we bombard certain elements with nuetrons (elements such as uranium). The basic principle is that when an atom undergoes fission it splits into smaller atoms which are shot out at high speeds. The energy is harnessed from the heat produced by these high speed fragments. These smaller fragments can go on to cause further fission, often known as a 'chain reaction'. This is how the infamous atom bomb works, on the principle of Einsteins famous equations. Yet in a controlled environment we get nuclear power generation.
What is a Nuclear Power Plant?
With this in mind, playing with nuclear energy is not to be taken lightly. It can kill thousands in an instant. So engineers have developed many safety features to stop such catastrophic events. A nuclear power plant is well built to withstand such dangerous activities.
This includes placing the reactor core in a thick concrete building, which absorbs radiation given off by the reactions. The reactor itself is made of thick steel to withstand the high pressure and temperature in the core as well as absorbing most of the radiation. Every reactor has an emergency shutdown system designed to stop fission completely.
The world has experienced many nuclear disasters so far and I believe more will come. You may have heard of Chernobyl, in the Ukraine. This disaster happened in 1986, releasing harmful radiation into the atmosphere which led to a permanent evacuation of everyone in the surrounding area. Chernobyl today is a ghost town. It was caused when the operators were testing a reactor to find out if the coolant pumps would keep operating in the event of a loss of power until emergency diesel generators took over. To carry out this test the safety systems to shut down the reactor in an emergency were switched off! Such an ill informed decision that led to a massive explosion in the reactor core. The fuel rods melted while the reactor cap was blown off releasing radioactive fission products into the atmosphere. As a result 4000 people were killed immediately, whilst a massive 2 BILLION worldwide have been affected due to radiation/birth defects/cancer etc.
In my opinion nuclear energy can be safe but we must proceed with extreme caution as the potential dangers are enormous. There may even be unknown effects associated with radiation. Not to mention that the waste produced is extremely bad for the environment. If we could find ways around these problems then I would back nuclear power, but for me it is too environmentally toxic with our current levels of technology. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy and do you have any solutions. Maybe we could fire the waste at the sun? However that would require lots of energy. Leave a comment!
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
47 Tips to Go Green!
Here is an in depth list of 47 ways you can GO GREEN! Most of the tips here are free and relatively easy to employ. So YOU can start to help the earth today. A lot of these tips will help you save money as well as the environment. If you don't have the time to read it all at once you should bookmark this page or subscribe. Share this with your friends so we can reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact!
1. Use public transport when you can. This reduces carbon emissions as well as being a lot cheaper for you.
2. Invest your money in renewable energy. This is a great way to make an impact. Buying solar panels or a wind turbine can be costly, but they pay for themselves in the long run. If you are making more energy than you use, then you can even sell your excess energy back to the grid. However it doesn't have to cost thousands, there are many new technologies that you can create yourself for the cost of a take-out.
See: Energy By Tesla
3. Recycle. Recycling a tin can uses only 4% of the energy it takes to make a new one from scratch. Some scrapyards will even buy your old cans, so get saving!
4. Re-use. This is even better than recycling as no energy is required to re-use a plastic carrier bag for example.
5. Buy green products. For example when shopping pick up a 'bag for life' instead of a plastic carrier bag.
6. Take part in car share schemes. These are beneficial for everyone involved. If your local area does not have car share schemes (a quick Google search to find out), then ask friends or family who go the same way as you.
7. Grow your own crops. You do not have to own a farm. Just plant some fruit or vegetables in your garden and cut your food costs while helping the environment. However be careful when using pesticides as these can harm your local ecosystem.
8. Buy energy efficient appliances. Buy kitchen appliances that are 'energy efficient' and use less energy. This will reduce your electricity bill and your carbon emissions.
9. Don't buy bottled water. It is no different from tap water in most countries. If it is not regulated in your country then buy a cheap filter for your tap.
10. Wash your clothes with cold water. Around 90% of the energy used to power your washing machine is used to heat the water. It is not necessary to heat the water, it is a waste of money and harmful to our environment.
11. If you must drive, de-clutter your car. Taking all the unneccessary items out of your car before driving will reduce the weight of your car. Less weight means less fuel, which means more money for you and less emissions for planet earth. So take that old toolbox out of the boot.
12. Buy locally. Buying food from local suppliers has many benefits. It means there are less trucks transporting things in bulk (releasing emissions in bulk) and it keeps money in your local economy.
13. Line dry your clothes. If the sun is out of course. This means you can reduce your thermostat reducing your energy bills and carbon footprint.
14. Instead of driving to the shop, walk! If it is only down the road then it wouldn't take much effort. This will help you be more green while improving your health and saving you money at the same time!
15. Unplug unused chargers and aplliances at night. This will stop 'phantom' energy. The energy that leaks out of unused appliances without you knowing.
16. Don't leave appliances on standby. This wastes a lot of energy per year and a lot of money for you. Turning appliances off fully when not in use will save more than you think.
17. When printing documents, print double-sided pages. This saves paper which saves trees and money.
18. Switch to renewable energy suppliers. There are many energy suppliers which focus on providing clean energy. Do some research and switch today.
19. Power saving. Use power saving options on your phone, laptop, television etc. Have them shutdown automatically if they are idle or reducing the brightness can reduce energy consumption.
20. Rather than buying a book, reading it once then leaving it to clutter your house, borrow it from your local library. This will save you money as well as re-using.
21. Buy a 'smart eco strip'. These are extension cables that sense when appliances are idle and stop phantom power leakage. These would be especially useful in offices where there are many computers or appliances.
22. Invite your biggest friends round for dinner (which you have made from your own produce. ;) ) and tell them you want to move your fridge away from the oven. Doing so will stop the fridge using excess energy to overcome the heat produced by your oven. This is a very simple tip that will save a lot more energy than you think. As always, reducing your energy consumption means reducing your bill.
23. Invest in a dishwasher. There are multiple benefits to this. Using a dishwasher will use less energy than washing the pots by hand, as well as less water. This mean you save water, energy to heat the excess water and time to wash the pots.
24. Turn down your thermostat. Yes listen to your Nan. Stick on a jumper, turn down the heating and turn down your energy bill.
25. Use the sun wisely. If the sun is out and your house is cold, open your blinds or curtains. This will heat up your home. Meaning your central heating wont have to use as much energy.
26. Check your lightbulbs. If you have incandescent lightbulbs, then your not keeping up with the Jones'. When your old lightbulbs run out, buy compact flourescent bulbs. These use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer on average. Great tactic to save energy and money!
27. Free-cycle. One mans trash is another mans treasure. If you're going to bin something that you think someone else could use, then give it away. What's the harm in free-cycling?
28. Insulate your home. This can be costly but will help you save in the long run. Most heat is lost through the roof of your home, so consider loft insulation. Also if you don't already have double-glazed windows, then I highly recommend you invest. A quick Google search will point you in the right direction.
See: Home Improvements To Conserve Energy
29. Turn off the lights. Sounds pretty obvious and patronizing, but lots of people forget. Make it your goal to turn off the lights if you're not in the room.
30. Even better, use candles where appropriate. The candlelight might even raise the romance of the self produced meal with your partner. ;)
31. Take a shower instead of the bath. If you must get a bath however, share the water with your partner. Taking a quick shower will use only a small percentage of the energy used to run a bath, saving you energy and money.
32. Instead of buying CDs, download music online. It is usually cheaper for you and always better for the environment.
33. Don't watch television everyday. Play games with your family such as monopoly etc. This will also help you to bond with your family even better. Preferably go out with your family to a natural tourist area. The Lake District in the UK is a good example.
34. If you drink beer, don't buy cans. Buying glass bottled beer is much more efficient for the environment. Just make sure you recycle when your done.
35. Donate cash to green causes. Preferably in your local area. This means you are keeping money in your local economy and helping the environment. You may find your money has been used to build more green spaces in your local area which you can use! Again, a Google search will get you there.
36. Donate to charity clothes shops. This is great because it is reusing and for a good cause.
37. Use solar powered chargers. If a wind turbine or solar panels aren't right for you just yet there are many smaller renewable appliances you can buy. 'Changers' solar charger is a great example.
38. Eat lower on the food chain. Eating meat is not sustainable for our current rising population. Energy is lost as we move up the trophic levels of the food chain. Eating vegetables is the best way to help the environment, however you must get your daily protein as it is imperative for good health. Check with a nutrition before changing your current diet as it is a very complex subject.
39. Keep your car tires inflated. This will help you use less petrol saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
40. Reduce consumption. Do you really need that new fuel guzzling 4x4? Buy an efficient vehicle unless you live in the middle of the grand canyon.
41. Look for fair trade labels. Usually fair trade products have a lower impact on the environment and reward the local producers fairly.
42. Drive at the speed limit. Not only is it dangerous to break the speed limit, yet it also uses more fuel and releases more emissions.
43. Driving in higher gears can also reduce fuel consumption. Therefore reducing emissions and saving money
44. Ask your boss to see if you can work from home. This may not be suitable for everybody but it would reduce travel costs for those of you that can.
45. Use your microwave where appropriate. It is more efficient than using the oven, saving energy and money.
46. The best thing you could do for the environment, with the littlest effort, is to share this post with your friends/family/followers to spread the word and make the biggest impact possible.
47. Subscribe to this blog for more advice on going green and information about what you can do to help and prevent climate change.
Bonus Tip!
Join our team and become a Guest Poster!
If you have any questions about any ideas listed here please leave a comment. Also I would like to hear any more ideas you might have so leave a comment.
:-) Stay Green!
1. Use public transport when you can. This reduces carbon emissions as well as being a lot cheaper for you.
2. Invest your money in renewable energy. This is a great way to make an impact. Buying solar panels or a wind turbine can be costly, but they pay for themselves in the long run. If you are making more energy than you use, then you can even sell your excess energy back to the grid. However it doesn't have to cost thousands, there are many new technologies that you can create yourself for the cost of a take-out.
See: Energy By Tesla
3. Recycle. Recycling a tin can uses only 4% of the energy it takes to make a new one from scratch. Some scrapyards will even buy your old cans, so get saving!
4. Re-use. This is even better than recycling as no energy is required to re-use a plastic carrier bag for example.
5. Buy green products. For example when shopping pick up a 'bag for life' instead of a plastic carrier bag.
6. Take part in car share schemes. These are beneficial for everyone involved. If your local area does not have car share schemes (a quick Google search to find out), then ask friends or family who go the same way as you.
7. Grow your own crops. You do not have to own a farm. Just plant some fruit or vegetables in your garden and cut your food costs while helping the environment. However be careful when using pesticides as these can harm your local ecosystem.
8. Buy energy efficient appliances. Buy kitchen appliances that are 'energy efficient' and use less energy. This will reduce your electricity bill and your carbon emissions.
9. Don't buy bottled water. It is no different from tap water in most countries. If it is not regulated in your country then buy a cheap filter for your tap.
10. Wash your clothes with cold water. Around 90% of the energy used to power your washing machine is used to heat the water. It is not necessary to heat the water, it is a waste of money and harmful to our environment.
11. If you must drive, de-clutter your car. Taking all the unneccessary items out of your car before driving will reduce the weight of your car. Less weight means less fuel, which means more money for you and less emissions for planet earth. So take that old toolbox out of the boot.
12. Buy locally. Buying food from local suppliers has many benefits. It means there are less trucks transporting things in bulk (releasing emissions in bulk) and it keeps money in your local economy.
13. Line dry your clothes. If the sun is out of course. This means you can reduce your thermostat reducing your energy bills and carbon footprint.
14. Instead of driving to the shop, walk! If it is only down the road then it wouldn't take much effort. This will help you be more green while improving your health and saving you money at the same time!
15. Unplug unused chargers and aplliances at night. This will stop 'phantom' energy. The energy that leaks out of unused appliances without you knowing.
16. Don't leave appliances on standby. This wastes a lot of energy per year and a lot of money for you. Turning appliances off fully when not in use will save more than you think.
17. When printing documents, print double-sided pages. This saves paper which saves trees and money.
18. Switch to renewable energy suppliers. There are many energy suppliers which focus on providing clean energy. Do some research and switch today.
19. Power saving. Use power saving options on your phone, laptop, television etc. Have them shutdown automatically if they are idle or reducing the brightness can reduce energy consumption.
20. Rather than buying a book, reading it once then leaving it to clutter your house, borrow it from your local library. This will save you money as well as re-using.
21. Buy a 'smart eco strip'. These are extension cables that sense when appliances are idle and stop phantom power leakage. These would be especially useful in offices where there are many computers or appliances.
22. Invite your biggest friends round for dinner (which you have made from your own produce. ;) ) and tell them you want to move your fridge away from the oven. Doing so will stop the fridge using excess energy to overcome the heat produced by your oven. This is a very simple tip that will save a lot more energy than you think. As always, reducing your energy consumption means reducing your bill.
23. Invest in a dishwasher. There are multiple benefits to this. Using a dishwasher will use less energy than washing the pots by hand, as well as less water. This mean you save water, energy to heat the excess water and time to wash the pots.
24. Turn down your thermostat. Yes listen to your Nan. Stick on a jumper, turn down the heating and turn down your energy bill.
25. Use the sun wisely. If the sun is out and your house is cold, open your blinds or curtains. This will heat up your home. Meaning your central heating wont have to use as much energy.
26. Check your lightbulbs. If you have incandescent lightbulbs, then your not keeping up with the Jones'. When your old lightbulbs run out, buy compact flourescent bulbs. These use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer on average. Great tactic to save energy and money!
27. Free-cycle. One mans trash is another mans treasure. If you're going to bin something that you think someone else could use, then give it away. What's the harm in free-cycling?
28. Insulate your home. This can be costly but will help you save in the long run. Most heat is lost through the roof of your home, so consider loft insulation. Also if you don't already have double-glazed windows, then I highly recommend you invest. A quick Google search will point you in the right direction.
See: Home Improvements To Conserve Energy
29. Turn off the lights. Sounds pretty obvious and patronizing, but lots of people forget. Make it your goal to turn off the lights if you're not in the room.
30. Even better, use candles where appropriate. The candlelight might even raise the romance of the self produced meal with your partner. ;)
31. Take a shower instead of the bath. If you must get a bath however, share the water with your partner. Taking a quick shower will use only a small percentage of the energy used to run a bath, saving you energy and money.
32. Instead of buying CDs, download music online. It is usually cheaper for you and always better for the environment.
33. Don't watch television everyday. Play games with your family such as monopoly etc. This will also help you to bond with your family even better. Preferably go out with your family to a natural tourist area. The Lake District in the UK is a good example.
34. If you drink beer, don't buy cans. Buying glass bottled beer is much more efficient for the environment. Just make sure you recycle when your done.
35. Donate cash to green causes. Preferably in your local area. This means you are keeping money in your local economy and helping the environment. You may find your money has been used to build more green spaces in your local area which you can use! Again, a Google search will get you there.
36. Donate to charity clothes shops. This is great because it is reusing and for a good cause.
37. Use solar powered chargers. If a wind turbine or solar panels aren't right for you just yet there are many smaller renewable appliances you can buy. 'Changers' solar charger is a great example.
38. Eat lower on the food chain. Eating meat is not sustainable for our current rising population. Energy is lost as we move up the trophic levels of the food chain. Eating vegetables is the best way to help the environment, however you must get your daily protein as it is imperative for good health. Check with a nutrition before changing your current diet as it is a very complex subject.
39. Keep your car tires inflated. This will help you use less petrol saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
40. Reduce consumption. Do you really need that new fuel guzzling 4x4? Buy an efficient vehicle unless you live in the middle of the grand canyon.
41. Look for fair trade labels. Usually fair trade products have a lower impact on the environment and reward the local producers fairly.
42. Drive at the speed limit. Not only is it dangerous to break the speed limit, yet it also uses more fuel and releases more emissions.
43. Driving in higher gears can also reduce fuel consumption. Therefore reducing emissions and saving money
44. Ask your boss to see if you can work from home. This may not be suitable for everybody but it would reduce travel costs for those of you that can.
45. Use your microwave where appropriate. It is more efficient than using the oven, saving energy and money.
46. The best thing you could do for the environment, with the littlest effort, is to share this post with your friends/family/followers to spread the word and make the biggest impact possible.
47. Subscribe to this blog for more advice on going green and information about what you can do to help and prevent climate change.
Bonus Tip!
Join our team and become a Guest Poster!
If you have any questions about any ideas listed here please leave a comment. Also I would like to hear any more ideas you might have so leave a comment.
:-) Stay Green!
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