From chemistry-request "-at-" server.ccl.net Mon Sep 11 19:09:00 2000 Received: from server3.safepages.com (server3.safepages.com [216.127.146.5]) by server.ccl.net (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id TAA00496 for ; Mon, 11 Sep 2000 19:08:59 -0400 Received: from quantumnt (5131-196-251.008.popsite.net [209.69.196.251]) by server3.safepages.com (Postfix) with SMTP id B762D22F3B for ; Mon, 11 Sep 2000 19:08:41 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <001801c01c45$39ad6540$0300a8c0 "-at-" quantumnt> From: "Jim Kress" To: References: <39BC0884.4ADBB8E _-at-_)trentu.ca> <39BD05DE.2A4DFC2C _-at-_)eeyore.cm.utexas.edu> <39BCF8F6.F79F85FD _-at-_)qta.qui.uc.pt> <39BD2513.9E11C49E _-at-_)eeyore.cm.utexas.edu> <39BD0F25.AA9F5F67 _-at-_)qta.qui.uc.pt> <39BD30E5.D6BC4D5C _-at-_)eeyore.cm.utexas.edu> <39BD3554.404D072C _-at-_)u.arizona.edu> <39BD4B04.4A8EB107 _-at-_)u.arizona.edu> Subject: Re: CCL:HYBRIDIZATION NOT "REAL";V. FOCK Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 19:08:40 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0015_01C01C23.B2222870" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0015_01C01C23.B2222870 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Quantum Mechanics is a mathematical methodology which best (at this = time) reproduces existing knowledge. As such it is an approach that we = can use to understand our physical universe. While it describes what we = perceive as reality, it is no more "real" than the theory of phlogiston = nor are its constructs (i.e orbitals - hybridized or not) any more real = than the billiard ball representation of atomic structure. =20 These are all artificial constructs that help us humans find a frame of = reference in which we can understand the reality in which we are = immersed. They have no 'reality' beyond that we assign them to enhance = our understanding ... Jim Kress ----- Original Message -----=20 From: maurice cafiero=20 To: chemistry $#at#$ ccl.net=20 Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 5:13 PM Subject: CCL:HYBRIDIZATION NOT "REAL";V. FOCK True enough, I may have been a bit rash...=20 But I was trying to address the original question, that=20 hybridization is not `physical, ' but theoretical=20 and mathematical.=20 As far as science goes, quantum mechanics is the model=20 most removed from anything `physical.'=20 mauricio cafiero=20 ------=_NextPart_000_0015_01C01C23.B2222870 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Quantum Mechanics is a mathematical = methodology=20 which best (at this time) reproduces existing knowledge.  As such = it is an=20 approach that we can use to understand our physical universe.  = While it=20 describes what we perceive as reality, it is no more "real" than the = theory of=20 phlogiston nor are its constructs (i.e orbitals - hybridized or not) any = more=20 real than the billiard ball representation of atomic structure. =20
 
These are all artificial constructs = that help us=20 humans find a frame of reference in which we can understand the reality = in which=20 we are immersed.  They have no 'reality' beyond that we assign them = to=20 enhance our understanding ...
 
Jim Kress
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 maurice=20 cafiero
Sent: Monday, September 11, = 2000 5:13=20 PM
Subject: CCL:HYBRIDIZATION NOT = "REAL";V.=20 FOCK

 True=20 enough, I may have been a bit rash...
But I was trying to address = the=20 original question, that
hybridization is not `physical, ' but = theoretical=20
and mathematical.=20

As far as science goes, quantum mechanics is the model
most = removed=20 from anything `physical.'=20

mauricio cafiero

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