Cato edited Statement.tex  over 10 years ago

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The second paradox is closely related, and concerns the {\it mixing} of particles. Since the distinction between identical and non-identical particles can be made arbitrarily small, it is mysterious that there exists a dichotomy between the two cases when dealing with entropy generation.  \subsubsection{Aside: \subsection{Aside:  resolution according to Jaynes} In REF?, Jaynes says that entropy increase has to be treated more ``subjectively''. Entropy production is not absolute: if {\it we} cannot distinguish the properties of two mixing gases, then there is no entropy increase and no work required to un-mix them. If we can distinguish the gases, then this is no longer true. To repeat, if the particles are experimentally indistinguishable for whatever reason, Gibbs' paradox is resolved.\footnote{In the quantum realm, this indistinguishability may be true as a matter of principle, rather than being due to an insufficiently refined experimental capability.}