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    Distinct compounds sharing the same elements but differin... — Carmelics
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    Distinct compounds sharing the same elements but differing in combining proportions can be distinguished by their chemical formulas

    Philosophy of LanguageTruth & Knowledge
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    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.The law of constant proportions holds for chemical compounds
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    • 2.Different combining proportions are represented by distinct chemical formulas (e.g., N2O, NO, N2O3)
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    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
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    • 1.Chemical formulas are theory-laden representations whose distinguishing power depends on prior acceptance of Daltonian atomism.
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    • 2.Historically, equivalent-weight chemistry (Wollaston, Geoffroy) systematized distinct compounds without atomic formulas, showing formulas are not uniquely necessary for distinction.
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    • 3.Therefore, formulas distinguish compounds only relative to a theoretical framework, not as a framework-independent fact about the compounds themselves.
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    Reason against 2 of 2
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    • 1.Structural isomers share identical molecular formulas (e.g., C2H6O for both ethanol and dimethyl ether) yet are chemically distinct compounds.
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    • 2.If distinct compounds can share the same chemical formula, then formulas are insufficient as the distinguishing criterion the claim requires.
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    Related

    Chemical formulas are theory-laden representations whose distinguishing power de...Different combining proportions are represented by distinct chemical formulas (e...Historically, equivalent-weight chemistry (Wollaston, Geoffroy) systematized dis...If distinct compounds can share the same chemical formula, then formulas are ins...
    +3 moreShow less
    Structural isomers share identical molecular formulas (e.g., C2H6O for both etha...The law of constant proportions holds for chemical compoundsTherefore, formulas distinguish compounds only relative to a theoretical framewo...

    Similar

    Different combining proportions are represented by distinct chemical f...88%Distinct compounds with the same elemental composition (isomers) exist...80%The law of constant proportions holds for chemical compounds80%Water is essentially composed of H2O molecules, even though water as a...76%

    Source

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    SEP: chemistry
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    The situation was made more complex when chemists realized that elemental composition was not in general sufficient to distinguish substances. Dalton was aware that the same elements sometimes give rise to several compounds; there are several oxides of nitrogen, for example. But given the law of constant proportions, these can be distinguished by specifying the combining proportions, which is what is represented by distinct chemical formulas, for example N2O, NO and N2O3 for different oxides of
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    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit