J
Jerromy
Guest
I'm curious if there are any known (or even theoretical) relationships of atomic structure to physical properties. What I mean, more specifically, are there any characteristics of normal matter which can be attributed to atomic structure or even any studies indicating that no concievable pattern can be determined?
I know that the right side of the periodic table are the noble gases which don't like to interact and the rest of the table has valance of preferable interactions with other elements but what I am more curious about is tangible physical characteristics of ordinary matter and how their atomic structure causes them to behave as they do. Why are some elements gaseous, some solid and others liquid, like mercury? Why are some elements conducive of electricity and others are insulative, or semi-conductive? With all the technology and amazing theoretical understanding of how everything works it seems rather bizarre that I can't find anything conclusive as to why things are the way they are. Knowing how things are is never enough for me, I need to know WHY things are the way they are.
I know that the right side of the periodic table are the noble gases which don't like to interact and the rest of the table has valance of preferable interactions with other elements but what I am more curious about is tangible physical characteristics of ordinary matter and how their atomic structure causes them to behave as they do. Why are some elements gaseous, some solid and others liquid, like mercury? Why are some elements conducive of electricity and others are insulative, or semi-conductive? With all the technology and amazing theoretical understanding of how everything works it seems rather bizarre that I can't find anything conclusive as to why things are the way they are. Knowing how things are is never enough for me, I need to know WHY things are the way they are.