tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post1638436529850179131..comments2024-02-28T02:22:20.886-08:00Comments on homunculus: What toys can tell usPhilip Ballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986655706443117158noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post-58013068641545885432009-10-06T05:58:17.635-07:002009-10-06T05:58:17.635-07:00OK, we have a salt crystal; each ion of sodium is ...OK, we have a salt crystal; each ion of sodium is symmetrically surrounded by chloride ions, and visa versa.<br /><br />Classically, each ion is sitting in a zero electric field, owing to the laws of superposition and symmetry. Hence if we expand the structure by small steps; maintaining the symmetry; we can dissociate the crystal with no work done.<br /><br />Does that mean that the only thing holding the crystal together are the ions at the surface?JimmyGirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01548795180321590463noreply@blogger.com