Information is physical: measuring a particle's position costs kT ln2 of free energy
Szilard Cycle
1. Insert partition → particle in L or R 2. Demon measures which side (1 bit) 3. Use knowledge → extract kT ln2 work 4. Erase demon's memory → pay kT ln2 Net: ΔS_total = 0 (Landauer 1961)
Statistics
Cycle count0
Work extracted (kT)0.000
Erasure cost (kT)0.000
Net gain0.000
Landauer limit: kT ln20.693 kT
Controls
Waiting…
The Resolution
Landauer's principle: Erasing 1 bit dissipates ≥ kT ln2 Demon's memory must be erased → 2nd law holds. Information has thermodynamic cost.