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



Yes, it is a philosophical question. But it is probably worth discussing here. Yes, I know that there are many philosophical questions that should not be discussed here.

I would say that real is what would exist if all humans disappeared. Planets, for example, are real. Kepler's laws, Newton laws, etc, are models humans created to explain. I am not a chemist but think that bonds components. Atoms, on the other hand, are real. Who know which conceptual models will be invented to better describe atomic processes in the next century. But atoms will most likely behave in the same way as today.

Ludwik
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On Dec 15, 2010, at 7:45 PM, William Robertson wrote:

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
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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
_______________________________________________
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Ludwik

http://csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/life/intro.html