Abstract
The term paper tool as well as similar ones like conceptual tools, tools of representation, and tool-box of science, have begun to creep into the literature, especially in the history of science. The first of these terms, paper tools, was coined by Ursula Klein (Klein, “Berzelian Formulas”). The other terms I mention, which evoke similar ideas have been used by the likes of Bruno Latour, Jed Buchwald and Nancy Cartwright in spite of their widely diverging philosophical orientations. In addition terms like “tools of representation” are sometimes used by scientists, in particular in the computational sciences. Since one theme of this volume is `paper tools in chemistry and other experimental science’ I will try to say a few words about how I interpret this phrase.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bensaude-Vincent, B. “Mendeleev’s Periodic System of the Elements.” British Journal for the History of Science 19 (1986): 3–17.
Bills, J. L. “Experimental 4s and 3d Energies in Atomic Ground States.” Journal of Chemical Education 75 (1998): 589–93.
Born, M. Atomic Physics, Dover Reprint Series. First published in 1935 by Blackie and Son, Glasgow. New York: Dover, 1989.
Brush, S. G. “Dynamics of Theory Change: The Role of Predictions.” In Proceedings of the 1994 Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association. Vol. 2, Symposia and Invited Papers, edited by D. Hull, M. Forbes and R. M. Burian. East Lansing Michigan: Philosophy of Science Association, 1995.
Brush, S. G.“The Reception of Mendeleev’s Periodic Law in America and in Britain.” /sis 87 (1996): 595–628.
Campbell, N. R. What Is Science? New York: Dover, 1952.
Duhem, P. The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory. Translated by P. Wiener. New York: Athaneum Press, 1962.
Emerson, K. “The Quantum Mechanical Explanation of the Periodic System.” Journal of Chemical Education 76 (1999): 1189–89.
Gmelin, L. Handbuch der Chemie. 4th ed. Heidelberg: Karl Winter, 1843.
Hesse, M. Models and Analogies in Science. South Bend, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1966.
Hull, D., M. Forbes, and R. M. Burian, eds. Proceedings of the 1994 Biennial’ Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association. Vol. 2, Symposia and Invited Papers. East Lansing Michigan: Philosophy of Science Association, 1995.
Janich, P., and N. Psarros, eds. Die Sprache der Chemie. Würzburg: Kbninghausen & Neumann, 1996. Klein, U. “Berzelian Formulas as Paper Tools in Early Nineteenth-Century Chemistry.” Foundations of Chemistry 3, no. 1 (2001): 7–32.
Lipton, P. “Prediction and Prejudice.” International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 4 (1990): 51–65.
Mazurs, E. One Hundred Years of Graphic Representation of the Periodic System. Tuscaloosa: Alabama University Press, 1974.
Mendeleev, D. I. The Principles of Chemistry. London: Longman’s, 1905.
Nelson, P. G. “Relative Energies of 3d and 4s Orbitals.” Education in Chemistry 29 (1992): 84–85. Pilar, F. L. “4s Is Always above 3d!” Journal of Chemical Education 55 (1978): 2–6.
Rocke, A. J. “Atoms and Equivalents: The Early Development of the Chemical Atomic Theory.” Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences 9 (1978): 225–63.
Rocke, A. J. Chemical Atomism in the Nineteenth Century: From Dalton to Canni Columbus: OhioState University Press, 1984.
Scerri, E. R. “Transition Metal Configurations and Limitations of the Orbital Approximation.” Journal of Chemical Education 66 (1989): 481–83.
Scerri, E. R. “Stephen Brush, the Periodic Table and the Nature of Chemistry.” In Die Sprache der Chemie,edited by P. Janich and N. Psarros. Würzburg: Kóninghausen & Neumann, 1996.
Scerri, E. R. “The Periodic Table and the Electron.” American Scientist 85 (1997): 546–53.
Scerri, E. R. “The Evolution of the Periodic System.” Scientific American 279 (1998): 78–83.
Scerri, E. R. “How Good Is the Quantum Mechanical Explanation of the Periodic System?” Journal of Chemical Education 75 (1998): 1384–85.
Scerri, E. R. “The Quantum Mechanical Explanation of the Periodic System.” Journal of ChemicalEducation 76 (1999): 1189–89.
Scerri, E. R., and J. Worrall. “Prediction and the Periodic System.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Science (in press).
Spronsen, J. W. van. The Periodic System of Chemical Elements: A History of the First Hundred Years. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1969.
Vanquickenborne, L. G., K. Pierloot, and D. J. Devoghel. “Transition Metals and the Aufbau Principle.” Journal of Chemical Education 71 (1994): 469–71.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Scerri, E. (2001). The Periodic Table: The Ultimate Paper Tool in Chemistry. In: Klein, U. (eds) Tools and Modes of Representation in the Laboratory Sciences. Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, vol 222. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9737-1_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9737-1_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5859-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-015-9737-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive