"Stephen" <mcavoysAT@aolDOTcom> wrote in message
news:qlm7u3lr5ovt1v54g35cfjkirjikv4soks@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:42:53 +0200, "Gail Shaw"
> <initialsurname@sentech sa dot com> wrote:
>
> >
> >Think of it this way. If you have 2 pans of water, same volume, one's
just
> >above freezing point (0C) and one at boiling point (100C). Can you use
the
> >pan of boiling water to bring the second pan up to boiling point?
> >
>
> Maxwell's demon could :)

Maxwell's demon ignores the 2nd law of thermodynamics. That was the whole
point. It also assumes that it can find individual molecules, which may be
difficult with the quantum effects that small.

> >Similar thing, just with heat, instead of springs
>
> Doesn't that mean the universe will suffer when Entropy increases?

Sure. It's not a new observation. The 2nd law of Thermodynamics predics the
heat death of the universe. Entropy increases to the point where all systems
are at their least ordered and no energy can ever be extracted from any
system. The entire universe is at a steady temerature and no more change is
possible. Basically, the universe winds down.

> You've just proved his point. And if he was right about that then
> maybe the Perpetual Motion Machine is possible after all!

The second statement does not follow the first. And physics is very bad at
prediciting aspects of society. Will leave that to any sociaologists.

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