A. J. C. van der Waals

A. J. C. van der Waals was a scientist who, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, improved our understanding of how molecules interact. He introduced the concept of "van der Waals forces," which are weak attractions between molecules that influence the properties of gases, liquids, and solids. These forces explain phenomena like why gases liquefy under pressure or why molecules stick together slightly. Van der Waals also developed equations to better describe the behavior of real gases compared to ideal models, helping scientists predict and understand material behaviors more accurately.