Maxwell’s Demon is a fascinating theoretical problem (I guess it’s really a paradox) in classical thermodynamics. I’m sure that the many physicists who log in here know the details of the paradox…so I’ll only summarize it…
Imagine that you have two chambers that each contain X number of molecules at equal temperatures (average kinetic energy). Between the chambers there is a “trapdoor” that is operated by a “demon” that can perceive when a high energy molecule is moving towards the trapdoor. He can open the trapdoor when it is about to be struck by the molecule, allowing it to pass into the other chamber. If he decides not to open the trapdoor, the molecule will be reflected back into its own chamber.
The problem is that if such a demon can exist, he could allow only fast moving molecules into one chamber, thus creating a temperature difference between the two chambers. This would violate the second law of thermodynamics.
I understand that several explanations have been offered to explain this apparent paradox and preserve the Second Law (which seems to be one of the very few physical “laws” that are absolutely “true.” For example, you could argue on statistical grounds that the demon could have only a marginal effect… beyond a certain point there would be an increased probability that when he opened the door to let a high energy molecule through, a high energy molecule would be approaching the door from the other side, which would negate his ability to change the temperature difference between the two chambers.
You could also argue that the demon would have to exist on such a small scale that quantum effects, especially the Uncertainty Principle, would render the demon ineffectual.
I suggest that Maxwell’s Demon can be allowed to exist and could be allowed the ability to do what Maxwell wanted him to do, without any violation of the Second Law. I propose that the apparent paradox disappears if we consider the association of entropy with the complex organization of matter, i.e., that material complexity is inversely related to entropy.
For the demon to function as postulated, he must be able to make decisions…that is, he must display some form of perception and consciousness. In order to do that, he must be complex. As such, his presence in one of the chambers must affect the value of the entropy assigned to his chamber. The demon cannot exist simultaneously at both sides of the door…he must be in one chamber or the other.
Perception and consciousness are behaviors that depend upon the existence of organized matter.
The presence of the demon in one of the chambers significantly lowers the entropy of that chamber. This difference in entropy would allow the demon to significantly raise the temperature of the chamber he is not in, but only up to the point that the temperature change is balanced by the demand that dS>0.
Thus, if you consider the affect of the demon’s complexity on the entropy of the universe of the two chambers, you can accept his presence and effectiveness in creating the temperature difference, without there being any paradox or violation of the Second Law.
I am not a professional physicist, and I’m aware that there are plenty of goofy and stupid ideas that amateurs have proposed. This may be one of those, but I’d be interested in some feedback from others who read this Board.