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Potential Energy Diagram For The Formation Of a Van Der Waals' Bond

Show/Hide Lessons (Solid State Physics | H3 Physics)
  1. Types Of Bonds
  2. Potential Energy Diagram For Formation Of Bonds
  3. Potential Energy Diagram For The Formation Of a Van Der Waals' Bond
  4. Crystal Structure
  5. Close-packed Structures
  6. Hexagonal Close-packed Structure
  7. Drude Model Of Electrical Conduction
  8. Number Density Of Free Electrons
  9. Free Electron Theory Of Solids
  10. Current Density
  11. Resistance And Resistivity
  12. Temperature Dependence Of Resistivity
  13. Fermi-Dirac Statistics
  14. Fermi Level And Fermi Energy
  15. Fermi Function
  16. Energy Band Structures In Solids
  17. Electrical Conductivities Of Materials
  18. Zener Diode
  19. Hall Effect
  20. Electrical Characteristics Of Commercial Alloys

A van der Waals bond is a weak attractive interaction between neutral atoms/molecules. Its potential-energy curve still has a minimum (stable separation), but that minimum is shallow compared with covalent bonding.

Shallow van der Waals potential wellPotential energy rises steeply at very small separation, reaches a shallow minimum at equilibrium separation r zero, and approaches zero at large separation.rUr₀
The minimum gives the equilibrium separation. Its small depth is the binding energy.

Core concept

The curve has the same qualitative features as most interatomic potentials:

  • strong repulsion at very small separation
  • weak attraction at intermediate separation
  • energy approaching zero at very large separation

For van der Waals bonding, the well depth is small, so thermal energy can disrupt binding more easily.

Worked interpretation and common mistake

If two curves have minima at similar distances but one has a much shallower minimum, that shallower curve corresponds to weaker bonding and lower binding energy. A common mistake is to compare only equilibrium distance and ignore well depth.

Next steps

8. Practice, Quiz and Next Step

Close your notes and use Potential Energy Diagram For The Formation Of a Van Der Waals' Bond in the supplied context below. This requires a constructed explanation or working, not recognition of an option.

Fresh context: An unfamiliar data set or physical system requires you to apply Potential Energy Diagram For The Formation Of a Van Der Waals' Bond while stating the model, regime and assumptions.

  1. Retrieve: define potential energy diagram for the formation of a van der waals' bond in your own words, including units, sign or conditions where relevant.
  2. Represent: Choose and label an appropriate diagram, graph, table or symbolic model; derive or justify the relationship used.
  3. Apply: Reach a conclusion, then evaluate it using units, uncertainty, a limiting case and one practical or modelling limitation.

Check the response before looking back

  • The model, regime, coordinates and assumptions are explicit.
  • The derivation or multi-step reasoning is visible rather than implied.
  • The conclusion is tested against units, data quality and a limiting case.
  • A practical control, uncertainty or model limitation is evaluated where applicable.

If one check fails, name that exact gap, revisit the matching explanation or worked example, and redo the task with different values or a different situation. Then use theH3 Physics course hub orpractice browser for an independent re-test.

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