J.J. van der Waals

J.J. van der Waals was a scientist who studied how molecules interact outside of chemical bonds. His work explained how even unconnected molecules or atoms can attract or repel each other through subtle forces. These forces, now called van der Waals forces, are weaker than chemical bonds but important for understanding phenomena like how liquids cling to surfaces or how gases condense into liquids. Van der Waals's insights helped advance fields like physics, chemistry, and materials science by illustrating the delicate balance of forces that govern molecular interactions in nature.