Slaying physics demons.
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| Title: | Slaying physics demons. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Falk, Dan (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | New Scientist. 12/13/2025, Vol. 268 Issue 3573/3574, p46-49. 4p. 3 Cartoon or Caricatures. |
| Subjects: | Thought experiments, Entropy, Quantum mechanics, Determinism (Philosophy), Statistical mechanics, Intellect, Thermodynamics, Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879 |
| Abstract: | The article explores three enduring thought experiments in physics, collectively referred to as "demons," which challenge fundamental concepts in the field. The first, Laplace's demon, posits an entity with perfect knowledge of all particles, suggesting a deterministic universe, but is undermined by the principles of relativity and quantum mechanics. The second, Loschmidt's demon, raises questions about entropy and time's directionality, ultimately revealing that while microscopic reversibility exists, macroscopic disorder prevails due to probabilistic laws. Lastly, Maxwell's demon illustrates the interplay between information and energy, suggesting that managing information can lead to work without violating thermodynamic laws. These thought experiments serve as valuable tools for physicists to refine their understanding of reality. [Extracted from the article] |
| Copyright of New Scientist is the property of New Scientist Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 189928551 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Periodical PubTypeId: serialPeriodical PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Slaying physics demons. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Falk%2C+Dan%22">Falk, Dan</searchLink> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22New+Scientist%22">New Scientist</searchLink>. 12/13/2025, Vol. 268 Issue 3573/3574, p46-49. 4p. 3 Cartoon or Caricatures. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thought+experiments%22">Thought experiments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Entropy%22">Entropy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Quantum+mechanics%22">Quantum mechanics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Determinism+%28Philosophy%29%22">Determinism (Philosophy)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+mechanics%22">Statistical mechanics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intellect%22">Intellect</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thermodynamics%22">Thermodynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Maxwell%2C+James+Clerk%2C+1831-1879%22">Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: The article explores three enduring thought experiments in physics, collectively referred to as "demons," which challenge fundamental concepts in the field. The first, Laplace's demon, posits an entity with perfect knowledge of all particles, suggesting a deterministic universe, but is undermined by the principles of relativity and quantum mechanics. The second, Loschmidt's demon, raises questions about entropy and time's directionality, ultimately revealing that while microscopic reversibility exists, macroscopic disorder prevails due to probabilistic laws. Lastly, Maxwell's demon illustrates the interplay between information and energy, suggesting that managing information can lead to work without violating thermodynamic laws. These thought experiments serve as valuable tools for physicists to refine their understanding of reality. [Extracted from the article] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of New Scientist is the property of New Scientist Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=189928551 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1016/s0262-4079(25)02033-0 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 4 StartPage: 46 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Thought experiments Type: general – SubjectFull: Entropy Type: general – SubjectFull: Quantum mechanics Type: general – SubjectFull: Determinism (Philosophy) Type: general – SubjectFull: Statistical mechanics Type: general – SubjectFull: Intellect Type: general – SubjectFull: Thermodynamics Type: general – SubjectFull: Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879 Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Slaying physics demons. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Falk, Dan IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 13 M: 12 Text: 12/13/2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 02624079 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 268 – Type: issue Value: 3573/3574 Titles: – TitleFull: New Scientist Type: main |
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