Re: [Phys-l] internal/external conservative/nonconservative forces!?!?

[William Robertson <wrobert9@ix.netcom.com>]

A philosophical question, I think. What is real and what isn't real?

Bill



On Dec 15, 2010, at 5:37 PM, ludwik kowalski wrote:

> Do bonds exist in nature or do they exist only  in our models of  
> nature?
>
> Ludwik
> ========================================
>
> On Dec 15, 2010, at 7:20 PM, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:
>
> > Orbitals from two different atoms joining to form a molecule?  
> > (Sorry, I never understood chemistry - but the orbital thing seems  
> > to make sense.)
> >
> > Bob at PC
> >
> > ________________________________________
> > From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu 
> > ] On Behalf Of William Robertson [wrobert9@ix.netcom.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 6:35 PM
> > To: Forum for Physics Educators
> > Subject: Re: [Phys-l]   internal/external       conservative/ 
> > nonconservative    forces!?!?
> >
> > Good question. I'll take a stab at it. Bonds are a configuration in
> > which separate orbitals (mathematical constructs) form a new hybrid
> > orbital, one that is energetically favorable. Bonding orbitals are a
> > constructive addition of separate wave functions and anti-bonding
> > orbitals are a destructive addition of separate wave functions. Not
> > sure if that helps matters any.
> >
> > Bill