Quote:
Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951
I'm gonna jump in with a dumbarrse question. physics=20+yrs ago for me.
If the weight remains at 3 o'clock, it's potential energy is never translated into kinetic energy, therefore it is the imaginary mechanism holding the weight at 3 o'clock and spinning it which is powering the motion. Right? How is gravity relevant in this model?- unless the weight represents the maximum lifting force the imaginary mechanism can apply before the weight itself lifts relative to 3 o'clock
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You are correct, the weight won't do any work at all because there is no exchange of it's potential energy to kinetic energy.
The "mechanism" that is holding it is doing all of the work, so if the wheel rolls, you're having to put that energy into that mechanism somehow. Either winding a spring, or burning fuel or something.
If you don't do that, the wheel won't turn.