2021/12/23 by P. D. Gujrati, Gujrati, P. D.
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics #Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2112.12300
openalex publication_date 2021/12/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Using classical thermodynamics, we argue that Maxwell's demon loses its battle against Clausius as any temperature difference or other thermodynamic forces it creates is immediately compensated by spontaneous counterbalancing flows that bring about equilibration by slower particles in principle. Being constrained by these spontaneously generated equilibration processes in which he actively but unwittingly participates, the demon is incapable of destroying equilibrium and violating the second law. In fact, our investigation shows that he is unintentionally designed to support it, and does not alter the temperature.