Maxwell's Demon Possibility?(Entropy)

In summary, "Maxwell's Demon" is a thought experiment by James Clerk Maxwell about the possibility of a creature with the ability to discriminate between fast and slow-moving molecules, resulting in one chamber with all slow molecules and one with all fast molecules. This would reverse the entropy and create a hot and cold chamber. However, this goes against the second law of thermodynamics. Some people have suggested using a vortex tube to achieve a similar effect, but the consensus is that it is not possible.
  • #1
StarkyDee
"Maxwell's Demon" Possibility?(Entropy)

About a hundred years ago, James Clerk Maxwell imagined 2 adjacent chambers, each containing gas and both sealed to the outside world. The chambers are also sealed from one another, except for a single gate the size of a gas molecule. Guarding this gate would be an intelligence with one power: the ability to discriminate between fast and slow molecules. It would pass slow molecules in one direction only, fast molecules in the other direction only. The net result would, after a time, be one chamber that contained only slow-moving molecules, next to a chamber that contained only fast-moving molecules. In other words, the chambers would not be the same temperature: One hot and one cold. Should such a "Maxwell Demon" prove possible, its discriminatory intelligence would reverse the apparently irreversible entropy, which inevitably has everything existing at the same low temperature? Any Comments?
 
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  • #2
Have you ever heard of the ranque-Hilsch vortex tube that separates hot and cold air? It operates simply by virtue of the air flow through the geometry of the device.

Click here for the thermodynamic aspects of the device.
http://engr.smu.edu/me/2131/Thermolab/vortex/vortex.html

Creator
 
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  • #3
I have thought about such things, and though the consensus is no, I have a half-baked idea oddly enough also involving a vortex that seems like it would decrease entropy. As it is half-baked I don't care to share it, but if you visit here often I will PM you with the idea, if it proves interesting.
 

1. What is Maxwell's Demon and how does it relate to entropy?

Maxwell's Demon is a thought experiment proposed by physicist James Clerk Maxwell in 1867. It involves a hypothetical being with the ability to manipulate individual molecules, allowing it to decrease the entropy of a closed system. This challenges the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time.

2. Can Maxwell's Demon actually exist?

No, Maxwell's Demon is purely a thought experiment and does not have any physical existence. It is used to explore the implications of the second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy.

3. How does Maxwell's Demon affect our understanding of entropy?

Maxwell's Demon challenges our understanding of entropy by suggesting that it is possible to decrease the entropy of a closed system through intelligent manipulation of molecules. This raises questions about the limitations of the second law of thermodynamics and the role of intelligence in controlling entropy.

4. What are some real-life examples of Maxwell's Demon at work?

There are no known examples of Maxwell's Demon existing in the physical world. However, some researchers have suggested that certain biological processes, such as the functioning of enzymes, could be seen as analogous to Maxwell's Demon in their ability to selectively manipulate molecules and decrease entropy.

5. How does the concept of Maxwell's Demon relate to information theory?

Maxwell's Demon is often used as an analogy in information theory to explain the role of intelligence in controlling entropy. Just as Maxwell's Demon uses information to manipulate molecules and decrease entropy, intelligent beings use information to manipulate their environment and decrease entropy. This highlights the connection between information and entropy in both physics and biology.

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