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Single Idea 17480

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 3. Periodic Table ]

Full Idea

In general, nuclear charge is the overwhelming determinant of an element's chemical behaviour, while nuclear mass is a negligible factor.

Gist of Idea

Generally it is nuclear charge (not nuclear mass) which determines behaviour

Source

Robin F. Hendry (Chemistry [2008], 'Micro')

Book Ref

'Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science', ed/tr. Psillos,S/Curd,M [Routledge 2010], p.522

A Reaction

The exception is the isotopes of very light elements light hydrogen.

Related Ideas

Idea 17477 Defining elements by atomic number allowed atoms of an element to have different masses [Hendry]

Idea 17481 Nuclear charge (plus laws) explains electron structure and spectrum, but not vice versa [Hendry]

The 17 ideas with the same theme [arrangement of modern elements in a pattern]:

17400 Mendeleev focused on abstract elements, not simple substances, so he got to their essence [Mendeleev, by Scerri]
17401 Mendeleev had a view of elements which allowed him to overlook some conflicting observations [Mendeleev]
12450 The periodic table not only defines the elements, but also excludes other possible elements [Azzouni]
17480 Generally it is nuclear charge (not nuclear mass) which determines behaviour [Hendry]
17395 Elements were ordered by equivalent weight; later by atomic weight; finally by atomic number [Scerri]
17410 Moseley showed the elements progress in units, and thereby clearly identified the gaps [Scerri]
17406 Moseley, using X-rays, showed that atomic number ordered better than atomic weight [Scerri]
17408 Some suggested basing the new periodic table on isotopes, not elements [Scerri]
17412 Elements are placed in the table by the number of positive charges - the atomic number [Scerri]
17414 Pauli explained the electron shells, but not the lengths of the periods in the table [Scerri]
17413 Elements in the table are grouped by having the same number of outer-shell electrons [Scerri]
17416 Orthodoxy says the periodic table is explained by quantum mechanics [Scerri]
17417 To explain the table, quantum mechanics still needs to explain order of shell filling [Scerri]
17419 Since 99.96% of the universe is hydrogen and helium, the periodic table hardly matters [Scerri]
17422 The best classification needs the deepest and most general principles of the atoms [Scerri]
17466 Mendeleev systematised the elements, and also gave an account of their nature [Weisberg/Needham/Hendry]
17603 Chemistry just needs the periodic table, and protons, electrons and neutrinos [New Sci.]