Me and a few friends started to argue about magnets. Of course we know there are the laws of thermodynamics that basically say you cannot generate energy from nothing.
But what of magnets? If i stick a magnet to the fridge it must be generating at least enough energy to not fall down due to gravity.
Where is this energy coming from? Should it not like run out of energy sometime?
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The thing is that staying still does not consume energy(generally and macroscopically speaking).
Right now you are probably sitting on some chair. Gravity is pulling you toward the ground, but the chair is not expending any energy in keeping you up.
Sticking something to a vertical surface (the fridge) is not much different. Whether you use a magnet, of an adesive, you definitely have a force that is compensating gravity, but as long as the object is not moving energy has been used.
Looking at it from the equation side:
E = F * s
E = Energy expended;
F = Force;
s = distance moved.
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