Ideas of Manjit Kumar, by Theme

[British, fl. 2008, London-based freelance writer on science]

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14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence
Bohr explained the periodic table and chemical properties of elements, using the quantum atom
     Full Idea: Bohr used the quantum atom to explain the periodic table and the chemical properties of the elements. ...It was his new theory about the arrangement of electrons inside atoms that explained the placing and grouping of elements in the periodic table.
     From: Manjit Kumar (Quantum: Einstein and Bohr [2008], Ch 04)
     A reaction: (second sentence p.133) This is Exhibit A for the idea that essences are explanatory, and are discovered by scientists. The moot point would be whether it is appropriate to describe electron shells as part of the 'essence' of an atom.