Van der Waals force (Lenard-Jones)

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SUMMARY

The Lennard-Jones potential is primarily designed for symmetric particles, assuming spherical symmetry in its formulation. Modifications can be made to account for asymmetric interactions by adjusting the potential parameters based on the relative orientation of the particles. However, the discussion highlights a gap in existing literature regarding the application of the Lennard-Jones potential to asymmetric particles, particularly in terms of size and shape, such as cylindrical particles of differing lengths. The influence of particle size on interaction potential energy remains an area requiring further exploration.

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  • Understanding of Lennard-Jones potential energy
  • Familiarity with central potential concepts
  • Knowledge of particle symmetry in physics
  • Basic principles of molecular interactions
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  • Research modifications to Lennard-Jones potential for asymmetric particles
  • Explore the impact of particle size on interaction energies
  • Investigate alternative models for cylindrical particle interactions
  • Learn about the role of particle orientation in potential energy calculations
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Physicists, chemists, and researchers in materials science focusing on molecular interactions and potential energy modeling, particularly those interested in asymmetric particle dynamics.

Ferra
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Hi everyone

I'd like to know the Lennard-Jones potential energy is just for symmetric particles or we can use it for asymmetric forces too? If not how can I define the potential energy between two asymmetric particles?

Thanks
 
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The Lennard-Jones potential is a central potential, and therefore assumes spherical particles. I guess it could be modified such that the parameters of the potenial depend on the relative orientation of the two particles. I am not aware if this has been done before.
 
Thank you so much for your information. Actually except the orientation I'd like to know if the size of the particles also cause the interaction potential energy to be asymmetric or not?
 
I don't understand. Asymmetric with respect to what?
 
For example for two cylindrical particles with different length this interaction energy is symmetric or the longer one has more influence on the shorter one?
 

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