3 ms·
Other answers correctly talk about entropy. Here’s an analogy that might help with intuition. A kilogram bar of solid gold is worth about $70K. Take every ato
by robotresearcher 3y ago
Other answers correctly talk about entropy. Here’s an analogy that might help with intuition.
A kilogram bar of solid gold is worth about $70K.
Take every atom of that gold and sprinkle them separately into the ocean. You haven’t used any gold: it’s all still there. The difference in value of the bar and the seawater containing the exact same gold is in the arrangement and availability of the gold, not its mere existence.
Same with energy stored
in a battery vs stored in slightly warmer atmosphere.
- mg 3y agoI wasn't comparing energy in a battery to energy in the atmosphere. I was comparing a car in city A with a car moved to city B. Both in warm atmosphere. You can heat the atmosphere AND move the car, without creating more entropy than by just heating the atmosphere. So it looks like moving the car does not create entropy / does not use energy. With the gold, you cannot buy an apartment with it if you sprinkle it in the ocean. You have to decide: Buy an apartment OR sprinkle it in the ocean. You can't get the apartment AND an ocean with gold sprinkles. So you can't get the apartment for free.