van der Waals' forces

or van der Waals forces

plural noun

, Physical Chemistry.

1. weak, nonspecific forces between molecules.

van der Waals forces

plural noun

1. weak electrostatic forces between atoms and molecules caused by transient distortions in the distribution of electrons in the interacting atoms or molecules

Word History and Origins

Origin of van der Waals' forces¹

First recorded in 1925–30; van der Waals' equation

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, in May 2023, researchers at Gero, another drug development company, reported in Scientific Reports that they used a quantum computer to more realistically simulate the electronic properties of likely drug targets, such as the distribution of positive and negative charges across molecules and the arrangement of weak chemical bonds called Van der Waals forces between neighboring atoms.

From Science Magazine

These perovskites comprise molecularly thin layers held together by forces that hold graphite layers together, the so-called van der Waals forces -- hence the "v" in CL-v.

From Science Daily

Van der Waals materials are made up of strongly bonded 2D layers that are bound in the third dimension through weaker van der Waals forces.

From Science Daily

The nature of the van der Waals forces between layers allows researchers to use Scotch tape to peel the layers into atomic thickness.

From Science Daily

This can be covalent bonds, hydrogen bridge bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.

From Science Daily