van der Waals forces
- noun
- /væn dər wɑlz fɔrsɪz/
- Specialized
:
fuerzas de van der Waals
- At low density, simple closed-shell molecules and atoms interact weakly and at long range through van der Waals forces, as described above for xenon.
- van der Waals forces generated by molecules
- van der Waals forces, an attractive interaction
- van der Waals forces and electrostatic
Examples
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When water flows through an activated carbon filter, the odor-causing organic compounds become attracted to the filter's carbon molecules, thanks to the weak forces between neutral molecules known as van der Waals forces.
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Tip-sample interactions are then dominated by much smaller van der Waals forces.
Academic text (1995) -
We are talking about Casimir force, Van der Waals forces, various dipole forces, and many other common real-life phenomena.
Blog text (7) -
In addition, the JKR Cohesion model 36 is implemented to incorporate the Van der Waals forces between particles.
Academic text (2018) -
Modeling of momentum exchange between phases, inter-particle forces such as electrostatic and van der Waals forces, inter-particle collision, and variation in size, shape, and density in solid phase are some of the challenges.
Academic text (2018) -
This oscillation greatly increases the sensitivity of the microscope, so that even weak, long-range forces such as attractive van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces can be detected.
Academic text (1995) -
Surfaces that come into contact tend to stick together because of molecular interactions known as van der Waals forces and other influences.
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The Casimir force is simply the van der Waals forces between the metal plates.
Synonyms
1
4.7
A pull that makes two things move toward each other, like gravity or magnets
How Strong
- Specialized
1
3.8
- Specialized
33
5.1
- Specialized
1
3.7
- Specialized
1
4.1
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
van + der + Waals + force
This is an eponymic technical term: 'van der Waals' is a proper name (a Dutch surname/phrase) and does not convey the physical mechanism to an average B1 learner, while 'force' only signals that it is a kind of force. Understanding the specific meaning (weak intermolecular attractions due to temporary polarization) requires domain knowledge beyond knowing the constituent words, so the expression is not compositional for learners.
Etymology
Van der Waals forces comes from the scientist van der Waals, who noticed tiny pulls between neutral molecules when they get very close. Imagine tiny particles giving each other a quick, weak handshake when they pass; these small, temporary forces are why we use the term today for the 'weak' attraction between atoms and molecules.