van der waals

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Johannes Diderik van der Waals (1837-1923), Dutch physicist, winner of the 1910 Nobel Prize in Physics; family name
Dutch physicist (1837-1923)
van der Waals force
The relatively weak attraction between neutral atoms and molecules arising from polarization induced in each particle by the presence of other particles
van der Waals force
A weak attractive force between atoms or nonpolar molecules caused by a temporary change in dipole moment arising from a brief shift of orbital electrons to one side of one atom or molecule, creating a similar shift in adjacent atoms or molecules
van der Waals forces
Relatively weak electrical forces that attract neutral (uncharged) molecules to each other in gases, liquefied and solidified gases, and almost all organic liquids and solids. Solids held together by van der Waals forces typically have lower melting points and are softer than those held together by ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds (see bonding). The forces arise because neutral molecules, though uncharged, are usually electric dipoles, which have a tendency to align with each other and to induce further polarization in neighbouring molecules, resulting in a net attractive force. They are somewhat weaker than the forces involved in hydrogen bonding. See also Johannes D. van der Waals
Johannes Diederik van der Waals
born Nov. 23, 1837, Leiden, Neth. died March 9, 1923, Amsterdam Dutch physicist. As professor at the University of Amsterdam (1877-1907), he extended the classical ideal-gas law (see gas laws) to describe the behaviour of real gases, deriving the van der Waals equation of state in 1881. His work led to the liquefying of several common gases and made possible the study of temperatures near absolute zero. The van der Waals forces were named in his honour. He received a 1910 Nobel Prize
van der waals
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