At 9:28 AM -0400 7/27/08, John F. Sowa wrote:
>Alex,
>
>Your comments raise a lot of questions: (01)
... (02)
>M-W definition #3 is technically correct, but the person who wrote
>it should have avoided using the words 'particle' and 'element' in
>the same sentence -- because it could cause the reader to think
>'elementary particle'.
>
>I would suggest the word 'subdivision' instead of 'particle' in order
>to avoid that confusion. My recommended definition:
>
> the smallest subdivision of an element that retains the
> defining characteristics of that element. (03)
But you have to specify *chemical*
characteristics, since for example a single atom
of sodium lacks most of the defining
characteristics of sodium in bulk: its not
metallic, shiny, soft, inflammable, etc.. In
some cases, eg carbon, a single atom has none of
the bulk characteristics, since these depend on
the crystalline structure (graphite, soot, fiber
or diamond) (04)
>In summary, this discussion illustrates the point I was tying to make:
>If we use words at a vague level (without detailed definitions and
>axioms), we can reach agreement. But if we try to pin down the exact
>meanings to the level necessary for writing detailed axioms, we get
>into an endless series of analyses and disputes about different ways
>of doing the analysis. (05)
Yes, indeedy :-) (06)
Pat (07)
>
>John Sowa
>____________________________________________________________________
>
>1 : one of the minute indivisible particles of which according to
>ancient materialism the universe is composed
>
>2 : a tiny particle : bit
>
>3 : the smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or
>in combination
>
>4 : the atom considered as a source of vast potential energy
>
>
>
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