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I6-61. Maxwell Demon

Purpose

Example of a "Maxwell Demon."

Equipment

Maxwell demon demonstrator.

Suggestions

Because this demonstration is nothing but a cheap trick, you must practice the wrist motion actually used to separate the balls.

Images

I6-61

Description

A Maxwell demon is some gizmo which presumably allows you to do something which otherwise might be statistically unlikely. For example, the system photographed contains ten balls which are apparently identical except that five are white and five are black. If you rotate the device with the big end up you can separate the black and the white balls, and allow only one color of balls to fall into the neck. You act as the "Maxwell Demon."

References

L. Darling and E. O. Hulburt, On Maxwell's Demon, AJP 23, 470 (1955). James H. Larson, Apparatus for Teaching Physics: Maxwell's Demon (Apparatus), TPT 13, 503-504 (1975). Welch Scientific Company Instructions for use of Cat. No. 1710C Maxwell's Demon Demonstrator. Harvey S. Leff and Andrew F. Rex, Resource Letter MD-1: Maxwell's demon, AJP 58, 201-209 (1990).