Ideas of Eric R. Scerri, by Theme
[American, fl. 2007, Teaches Chemistry and Phil of Science at University of California, LA]
green numbers give full details |
back to list of philosophers |
expand these ideas
14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 4. Prediction
|
17405
|
If a theory can be fudged, so can observations
|
14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 4. Paradigm
|
17397
|
The periodic system is the big counterexample to Kuhn's theory of revolutionary science
|
14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation
|
17393
|
Scientists eventually seek underlying explanations for every pattern
|
14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation
|
17403
|
The periodic table suggests accommodation to facts rates above prediction
|
26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 1. Natural Kinds
|
17394
|
Natural kinds are what are differentiated by nature, and not just by us
|
|
17421
|
If elements are natural kinds, might the groups of the periodic table also be natural kinds?
|
26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / a. Scientific essentialism
|
17396
|
The colour of gold is best explained by relativistic effects due to fast-moving inner-shell electrons
|
27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 4. Standard Model / a. Concept of matter
|
17420
|
The stability of nuclei can be estimated through their binding energy
|
|
17411
|
If all elements are multiples of one (of hydrogen), that suggests once again that matter is unified
|
27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 1. Chemistry
|
17392
|
How can poisonous elements survive in the nutritious compound they compose?
|
|
17407
|
The electron is the main source of chemical properties
|
|
17404
|
Chemistry does not work from general principles, but by careful induction from large amounts of data
|
|
17391
|
Periodicity and bonding are the two big ideas in chemistry
|
|
17409
|
Does radioactivity show that only physics can explain chemistry?
|
|
17415
|
A big chemistry idea is that covalent bonds are shared electrons, not transfer of electrons
|
27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 2. Modern Elements
|
17398
|
19th C views said elements survived abstractly in compounds, but also as 'material ingredients'
|
|
17418
|
It is now thought that all the elements have literally evolved from hydrogen
|
27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 3. Periodic Table
|
17406
|
Moseley, using X-rays, showed that atomic number ordered better than atomic weight
|
|
17408
|
Some suggested basing the new periodic table on isotopes, not elements
|
|
17412
|
Elements are placed in the table by the number of positive charges - the atomic number
|
|
17413
|
Elements in the table are grouped by having the same number of outer-shell electrons
|
|
17416
|
Orthodoxy says the periodic table is explained by quantum mechanics
|
|
17414
|
Pauli explained the electron shells, but not the lengths of the periods in the table
|
|
17417
|
To explain the table, quantum mechanics still needs to explain order of shell filling
|
|
17419
|
Since 99.96% of the universe is hydrogen and helium, the periodic table hardly matters
|
|
17410
|
Moseley showed the elements progress in units, and thereby clearly identified the gaps
|
|
17422
|
The best classification needs the deepest and most general principles of the atoms
|
|
17395
|
Elements were ordered by equivalent weight; later by atomic weight; finally by atomic number
|