Full Idea
Elements survive chemical change, and chemical explanations track them from one composite substance to another, thereby explaining both the direction of the chemical change, and the properties of the substances they compose.
Gist of Idea
Elements survive chemical change, and are tracked to explain direction and properties
Source
Robin F. Hendry (Chemistry [2008], Intro)
Book Reference
'Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science', ed/tr. Psillos,S/Curd,M [Routledge 2010], p.520
A Reaction
[The 16,000th idea of this database, entered on Guy Fawkes' Day 2013]