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Single Idea 17469

[from 'Philosophy of Chemistry' by Weisberg/Needham/Hendry, in 27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 1. Chemistry ]

Full Idea

'H2O' is not a description of any microstructure. It is a compositional formula, describing the combining proportions of hydrogen and oxygen to make water.

Gist of Idea

'H2O' just gives the element proportions, not the microstructure

Source

Weisberg/Needham/Hendry (Philosophy of Chemistry [2011], 4.5)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.28