Although that account is successful enough for everyday purposes

[GoodTaste]

According to the traditional conception of the universe, objects move on well-defined paths and have definite histories. We can specify their precise position at each moment in time. Although that account is successful enough for everyday purposes, it was found in the 1920s that this "classical" picture could not account for the seemingly bizarre behavior observed on the atomic and subtomic scales of existence.

Source: The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking

I can't sense the difference between "that account" and "the account", which seem sharing the same meaning yet, rhetorically, the former appears to be a bit informal than the latter - or frankly, the former sounds a bit contemptuous - it is further proved by the fact that Hawking was ready to abandon the traditional conception.

I am not suire. It involves the subtlety of English language which is hard to grasp.

 

[Tarheel]

Is that account about quantum mechanics?

 

[GoodTaste]

Is that account about quantum mechanics?

No. It is about the theories of Newton's and Einstein's.

 

[emsr2d2]

No. It is about the theories of Newton's and Einstein's Newton and Einstein.

When you use the possessive "of", don't follow it with the "'s" possessive. Use either the sentence with my corrections above or "It's about Einstein's and Newton's theories". I prefer the latter.

 

[emsr2d2]

In the original, "that account" refers directly back to the entire text from "objects" to "moment in time". "That" is simply used to make it clear that the account (story/explanation) has already been referred to in the text.

 

[jutfrank]

As well as that, one could also use this. However, the doesn't work with this kind of textual reference.

 

[GoodTaste]

As well as that, one could also use this. However, the doesn't work with this kind of textual reference.

I wonder why. Could you please explain it in a bit more detail about the use of the?

 

[5jj]

If you said 'the account', people would ask 'Which account?'

 

[jutfrank]

I wonder why. Could you please explain it in a bit more detail about the use of the?

You don't need to ask about the in this thread. You should instead be asking why the words that and this are the appropriate reference words to use.