Bohr's Theory of the Atom: Content, Closure and Consistency
Vickers, Peter John (2008) Bohr's Theory of the Atom: Content, Closure and Consistency. In [2007] EPSA07: 1st Conference of the European Philosophy of Science Association (Madrid, 15-17 November, 2007).
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Abstract
How exactly does the much-discussed inconsistency in Bohr's theory of the atom manifest itself? A close look at the suggestions made so far in the literature suggests that the theory may not be inconsistent at all. The answer depends on (i) what exactly we take the content of 'Bohr's theory' to be, and (ii) what we take to follow from that content (how we 'close' the theory). In lieu of inconsistency, alternative characterisations of the relevant conceptual problems are possible. Looking briefly at the later Bohr theory, I conclude that the theory was only inconsistent after the introduction of the quantum adiabatic principle in 1917.
| Keywords: | Bohr, atom, theory content, consistency, inconsistency, old quantum theory, closure, conceptual problems |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | General Issues: Structure of Theories General Issues: History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences: Physics: Quantum Mechanics |
| Conferences and Volumes: | [2007] EPSA07: 1st Conference of the European Philosophy of Science Association (Madrid, 15-17 November, 2007) |
| ID Code: | 4005 |
| Deposited By: | Vickers, Peter |
| Deposited On: | 26 April 2008 |
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