Single Idea 17396

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / a. Scientific essentialism]

Full Idea

Many seemingly mundane properties of elements such as the characteristic color of gold ....can best be explained by relativistic effects due to fast-moving inner-shell electrons.

Gist of Idea

The colour of gold is best explained by relativistic effects due to fast-moving inner-shell electrons

Source

Eric R. Scerri (The Periodic Table [2007], 01 'Under')

Book Reference

Scerri,Eric R.: 'The Periodic Table' [OUP 2007], p.24


A Reaction

John Locke - I wish you were reading this! That we could work out the hidden facts of gold, and thereby explain and predict the surface properties we experience, is exactly what Locke thought to be forever impossible.

Related Idea

Idea 16731 Colours arise from the rarity, density and mixture of matter [Digby]