What is the reason for the Emergence of properties?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the emergence of properties in water molecules compared to their constituent atoms, hydrogen and oxygen. Participants argue that the unique properties of water arise from molecular bonding and the interactions of atoms rather than being inherent in the individual atoms themselves. The conversation also touches on the philosophical implications of emergent properties, particularly in relation to quantum fields and particle interactions. Ultimately, the consensus is that emergent properties are distinct from the properties of individual atoms, necessitating experimental validation to differentiate between them.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular bonding and reactivity
  • Familiarity with the periodic table and group behaviors of elements
  • Basic knowledge of quantum fields and particle physics
  • Concept of emergent properties in chemistry and physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research molecular bonding and its effects on compound properties
  • Study the periodic table's group behaviors and their chemical implications
  • Explore quantum field theory and its relation to emergent properties
  • Investigate experimental methods to test for emergent properties in compounds
USEFUL FOR

Chemists, physicists, and students interested in molecular properties, emergent phenomena, and the philosophical implications of scientific inquiry.

  • #31
ZapperZ said:
I know that you are talking about just 3 atoms forming a molecule here, but maybe this is a good jumping point for you to discover another new aspect of our world that Phil Anderson touted many years ago: More Is Different.

I had put this aside to read & finally had a chance to do so. Much of it is over my head (I don't have the background necessary), but those parts of it I do understand seem well-argued and appealing. I had not heard of broken symmetry before. I also like Anderson's demonstrations that reductionism being true in one direction doesn't mean it's true in the other - i.e. that with a knowledge of fundamental laws and behaviors alone, we could derive all more complex systems.
 

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