Van der Waals Interactions

Van der Waals interactions, fundamental in molecular chemistry, govern the attractive and repulsive forces between molecules and atoms. Named after Dutch scientist Johannes Diderik van der Waals, these interactions arise from fluctuating electric charge distributions within molecules. Unlike covalent or ionic bonds, Van der Waals forces are relatively weak and distance-dependent, influencing properties such as boiling points, solubility, and phase transitions. Understanding these interactions is crucial in various fields, including material science, biology, and nanotechnology, as they play a significant role in molecular assembly, protein folding, and the behavior of complex systems at the nanoscale.