van der Waals force

American  

[van-der wawlz fawrs, wahlz] / ˈvæn dər ˌwɔlz ˈfɔrs, ˌwɑlz /

plural noun

1. Chemistry. a weak attraction between closely arranged molecules, arising from fluctuations in electron distribution and safeguarding stability in the molecular structures of living organisms.

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van der Waals force Scientific  

1. A weak force of attraction between electrically neutral molecules that collide with or pass very close to each other. The van der Waals force is caused by the attraction between electron-rich regions of one molecule and electron-poor regions of another (the attraction between the molecules seen as electric dipoles). The attraction is much weaker than a chemical bond. Van der Waals forces are the intermolecular forces that cause molecules to cohere in liquid and solid states of matter, and are responsible for surface tension and capillary action.

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Example Sentences

Their idea was to use two surface forces, namely the Casimir force for attracting the two halves and the van der Waals force for making them stick together.

From Science Daily • Dec. 6, 2023

An ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons whereas a covalent bond involves the van der Waals force of interaction.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Ionic bond involves the van der Waals force of interaction whereas covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The monitor doesn’t use an adhesive, relying on a weak force called the van der Waals force that causes molecules and surfaces to stick together without interfering with motion.

From Washington Post • Aug. 11, 2011

The ability of geckos to climb smooth surfaces has been attributed to the van der Waals force.

From Washington Post • Aug. 11, 2011