Explanation in Quantum Chemistry

Hinne Hettema

Frank C. Goodrich, Frank C. Goodrich

P. W. Atkins

Abstract Quanta provides a non-mathematical and highly visual account of the concepts of quantum mechanics widely encountered in chemistry and related disciplines. Entries - ordered alphabetically - range in length from one paragraph to several pages, and describe the physical significance of each topic with simplicity and precision. Each entry is extensively cross-referenced and ends with a guide to sources of further information. This exciting new work continues the tradition of the first edition, which quickly established itself among students and teachers as a rich source of clear, concise explanations of quantum concepts. The text has been completely rewritten: all topics have been brought up to date, and there are many more illustrations and numerous new entries. The book will be invaluable to students for its brief non-mathematical summaries of key concepts, to instructors as a source of explanations, illustrations, and references, and to all practising scientists searching for an interesting, accessible account of any aspect of quantum chemistry.

David K. Ferry, Mihail Nedjalkov

Robin Findlay Hendry

Idealization presents well known problems for realist views of theories: truth cannot be what we want in our theories if we knowingly introduce falsity into our theoretical treatments. One attractive defence of realism has it that, although idealized models themselves falsely represent their subjects, they stand in for intractable exact treatments in the theoretical deductions from true premises that constitute explanations and predictions. In this paper I will argue that on this proxy view of idealized models, certain relations are to be expected between theory and model, relations that fail to hold between quantum mechanics and its applications in quantum chemistry. What is needed is a view of what makes a molecular model a good one that is independent of its relation to some exact treatment.