Jaimes Arriaga, Jesús Alberto and Fortin, Sebastian and Lombardi, Olimpia (2018) A new chapter in the problem of the reduction of chemistry to physics: The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules. [Preprint]

Preview

Text paper.pdf Download (322kB) | Preview

Abstract

The problem of the reduction of chemistry to physics has been traditionally addressed in terms of classical structural chemistry and standard quantum mechanics. In this work, we will study the problem from the perspective of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), proposed by Richard Bader in the nineties. The purpose of this article is to unveil the role of QTAIM in the inter-theoretical relations between chemistry and physics. We argue that, although the QTAIM solves two relevant obstacles to reduction by providing a rigorous definition of chemical bond and of atoms in a molecule, it appeals to concepts that are unacceptable in the quantum-mechanical context. Therefore, the QTAIM fails to provide the desired reduction. On the other hand, we will show that the QTAIM is more similar to Bohmian mechanics and that the basic elements of both theories are closely related.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Jaimes Arriaga, Jesús Alberto ja.jaimes@conicet.gov.ar Fortin, Sebastian sfortin@conicet.gov.ar Lombardi, Olimpia olimpiafilo@arnet.com.ar
Keywords:	Reduction; Quantum Chemistry; Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics; Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules; Bohmian mechanics
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Chemistry Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Depositing User:	Dr. Sebastian Fortin
Date Deposited:	11 Dec 2018 19:55
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2018 19:55
Item ID:	15430
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Chemistry Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Date:	1 December 2018
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15430

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item