J. D. E. van der Waals

J. D. E. van der Waals was a physicist known for developing a model that explains how gases and liquids behave. His theory introduced the idea that particles in a fluid aren't just point-like but have volume and attract each other slightly. These factors help explain why gases liquefy under pressure or cooled, and how liquids maintain their shape. The van der Waals equation improves upon earlier models by accounting for these interactions, providing a more accurate description of real substances' behavior under different conditions.