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.