Single Idea 17409

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 1. Chemistry]

Full Idea

Some authors believe that the interpretation of the properties of the elements passed from chemistry to physics as a result of the discovery of radioactivity. ...I believe this view to be overly reductionist.

Gist of Idea

Does radioactivity show that only physics can explain chemistry?

Source

Eric R. Scerri (The Periodic Table [2007], 06 'Radio')

Book Reference

Scerri,Eric R.: 'The Periodic Table' [OUP 2007], p.163


A Reaction

It is all a matter of the explanations, and how far down they have to go. If most non-radiocative chemistry doesn't need to mention the physics, then chemistry is largely autonomous.